True Life Tuesday: Mary Jane Patterson

This is the interesting story of the woman believed to be the first African American woman to receive a Bachelors degree.

While Mary Jane Patterson's early life is unclear it is believed that she was born into slavery in 1840 in Raleigh, North Carolina. She arrived with her family in Oberlin, Ohio in the 1850's. In 1857 she completed a year of preparatory coursework at Oberlin College. She then decided to go into the 4 year "gentleman's" course in classical studies rather than the 2 year women's course. She received her Bachelors degree with high honors in 1862. 

After graduation Mary Jane spent a year teaching in Chilicothe, Ohio. Then at 22 she moved to Philadelphia. There she taught at the Institute for Colored Youth for 5 years. She then moved to Washington, D.C. in 1869 to teach at the Preparatory High School for Colored Youth. This was the first public high school for African Americans in the country as well as the first public high school for any group in Washington, D.C. She became principal of the school for one year in 1871. She became principal again in 1873 and held the position until 1884.

As well as worker as an educator she was involved in women's rights. She helped to found the Colored Women's League of Washington, D.C. She was also involved in many organizations in the city that helped to uplift African Americans. She died on September 24, 1894. Her home is now a part of the Washington, D.C. historic walking tour.