This Day in History: Spelman College Holds Its First Classes in 1881

On April 11, 1881, classes began in the basement of an church at what was then known as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary. Sponsored by the American Baptist Women’s Home Mission Society, this modest beginning marked the foundation of what would become Spelman , one of the nation’s premier institutions for African American women.

Actress Phylicia Rashad, right, receives and honorary degree from Spelman College President Beverly D. Tatum during the school’s commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 15, 2011, at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Ga. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Spelman is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report and as one of the best women’s colleges by Forbes. The Rockefeller family, especially Laura Spelman Rockefeller, provided significant financial support. In 1924, the school was renamed in her honor.

Broadmoor, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Clay Cane. Follow @claycane & @aurnonline for more.

The post This Day in History: Spelman College Holds Its First Classes in 1881 appeared first on American Urban Radio Networks.

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Keisha Lance Bottoms Launches 2026 Georgia Governor Bid, Slams Trump and Musk

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has officially launched...

Evers says budget meeting set, must be about more than tax cut

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said...

Vindman’s campaign hit with FEC complaint

(The Center Square) – Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Va., is...

Court amends rules in light of gag order against Tennessee attorney

(The Center Square) – A lawyer is declaring victory...

Why a meeting at 1 a.m. on major legislation? Just have to tune in

(The Center Square) – Accused of hiding something by...

Caddo agencies partnering for summer crime prevention activities

(The Center Square) — Caddo Parish agencies are partnering...

More like this
Related

Keisha Lance Bottoms Launches 2026 Georgia Governor Bid, Slams Trump and Musk

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has officially launched...

Evers says budget meeting set, must be about more than tax cut

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said...

Vindman’s campaign hit with FEC complaint

(The Center Square) – Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Va., is...