Reframing Anna Julia Cooper: An Intersectional Historiographical Analysis

• In Event: Echoes of Resilience: The Evolution of African American Education Since the 19th Century

Abstract

The present work examines the historical legacy of Anna Julia Cooper, a prominent 19th-century academic, reformer, and educator. Using seminal texts within the history of Black education and contemporary intersectional scholarship, this comprehensive literature review explores evolving historical perspectives on Anna Julia Cooper. Despite having a profound impact on the history of education, Cooper has long been marginalized within the historical record. Through this review, I seek to address this historical marginalization. In this pursuit, I investigate how historians contend with Cooper as a historical figure and how contemporary scholars have used intersectionality to frame this scholarship. This investigation not only enriches our understanding of Cooper, but also emphasizes the broader importance of integrating intersectionality within historical analysis.

Author

• Lindsey Payne, North Carolina State University