Black Feminism and Othermothering in Early 20th Century Schooling

• In Event: Black Feminist Perspectives in the History of Education

Abstract

Black women educators have historically been advocates for resistance and change within their communities (Collins, 2002; McCluskey, 2014; Perlow, Wheeler, Bethea & Scott, 2018). During the early 20th century Janie Porter Barrett, seeing the awful living conditions and exploitation of Black girls in the U.S. South, opened the Virginia Industrial School for Colored Girls. Barrett’s pedagogical practices at the school utilized othermothering and Black feminist thought as ways to facilitate a school culture marked by healthy relationships, collectivism, student leadership and care. By fore-fronting the school’s historical legacy and unique culture, this paper seeks to offer an additional lens through which educators and educational researchers can understand Black girl’s schooling experiences.

Author

• Renee Wilmot, Michigan State University