Booker T. Washington
By: Julia Kozar
About Booker
- Booker T. Washington was born into slavery in 1856. By 1863, Washington and his family went to live with his father in Malden, West Virginia as free people.
- At Malden, Booker worked at the mines and went to school
- Washington then attended Hampton University. He learned a lot there and aspired to create his own school.
- Later on, he tackled this goal and became an inspiration to others near and far.
- Washington was a hero because of his courage, perseverance, and moral direction
Booker T. Washington
He was and still is a hero to all because of his courage and devotion for his race.
Washington giving a speech
Washington delivered many speeches, his most famous speech was at the Atlanta Exposition.
Home as a slave
Before Washington was a free man, he lived through very rough conditions as a slave.
Courage
- Booker T. Washington had wanted an education ever since he was a slave
- When he was freed, Washington finally got the chance to get an education
- He attended school in Malden, then went to Hampton University
- Not only did he go to school, he later on received a degree from Harvard(first African American)
- From there he was able to create a school, and was excellent at delivering speeches to diverse crowds
- To rise up from such a low position, takes a huge amount of courage
- Not many blacks from this time period, had any courage to do this, but Washington did
Moral Direction
- At Hampton University, Washington found his love for delivering speeches
- He started by giving speeches at Tuskegee(first school), and then went on to things like Expositions
- He was great at moving his crowd, and making his crowds agree with his views
- He used moral direction to say what he believed was best for his race
Perseverance
- Later in Washington's career, he received criticism
- People realized that he only wished for blacks to live in harmony with whites, not total equality
- Also, his teaching techniques became less needed because of new technology
- Although he received these critics, Washington persevered through, and still stood up for what he believed in
- Because he stood up for his race, he is a hero to near and far
Life Summary
- Rose up from slavery
- Went to school
- Received a degree from Harvard
- Started his own school
- Gave speeches
- Stood up for what he believed in
- Definitely a hero to near and far
Impact on History
- Without him, we might not have integrated schools today
- People thought of him as an inspiration and a hero, followed his lead
- Schools today might not have cooking or sewing, if Washington hadn't enforced life's necessities