While I was back home in Watertown, SD I visited my grandma. My grandma is 83ish years old and not ashamed. I am incredibly privileged to know my grandma and to have her still in my life. My grandpa passed away far before I could have an adult relationship with him…so I understand how lucky I am. I usually go and visit my grandma when I am home and our conversation follows the same pattern–how are you? What are you up to? How is school? Do you like the Cities? It is good seeing you. You never write, call, or email me… be safe driving and I love you.
*But
…this time was different. I interviewed her about Black History Month and had an interesting conversation revolving around race, racism, white privilege and much more. Her responses to the questions were sincere and heartfelt. I was proud of the fact that her spirit dwells in me and that she has graced me with her wisdom. After some great conversation she started telling me about an ancestor of ours. Prudence Crandall–greatX4 aunt of mine. My grandma had a book that was written about her and she let me take it. I have yet to read it but I do know a little about her story. She was born in 1803 in Rhode Island. When she was 30 years old she started a school for black women. After countless attacks on the school, herself and a law made to shut her school down, she ended the school in Connecticut. But she didn’t stop there. She married and moved west were she started many schools for black children. Here are some official writings on her:
Prudence Crandall was born in Rhode Island on 3rd September, 1803. After being educated at a Society of Friends school in Plainfield, Connecticut, Crandall established her own private academy for girls at Canterbury.
The school was a great success until she decided to admit a black girl. When Crandall, a committed Quaker, refused to change her policy of educating black and white students together, parents began taking their children away from the school. With the support of William Lloyd Garrison and the Anti-Slavery Society, in March 1833, Crandall opened a school for black girls in Canterbury.
Local people were furious at Crandall’s actions and attempts were made to prevent the school receiving essential supplies. The school continued and began to attract girls from Boston and Philadelphia. The local authorities then began using a vagrancy law against these students. These girls could now be given ten lashes of the whip for attending the school.
In 1834 Connecticut passed a law making it illegal to provide a free education for black students. When Crandall refused to obey the law she was arrested and imprisoned. Crandall was convicted but won the case on appeal. When news of the court decision reached Canterbury, a white mob attacked the school and threatened the lives of Crandall and her students. Afraid that the children would be killed or badly injured, Crandall decided to close her school down.
In September 1834 Crandall moved to Illinois where she married Calvin Philleo, a Baptist clergyman. Prudence Crandall died in Elk Falls, Kansas, on 28th January, 1890.
AMAZING….right? Thank you grandma for all you have done for me and thank you for sharing stories of our history.
Posted by billayers
