Elizabeth Evelyn Wright
| Elizabeth Evelyn Wright | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 3, 1872 Talbotton, Georgia |
| Died | December 14, 1906 Battle Creek, Michigan |
| Resting place | Voorhees College |
| Alma mater | Tuskegee Institute |
| Occupation | Educator |
| Known for | Founding Voorhees College |
| Title | Principal |
| Spouse(s) | Martin A. Menafee |
| Parent(s) | John Wesley Wright and Virginia Rolfe |
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright (April 3, 1872 – December 14, 1906) founded Denmark Industrial Institute in Denmark, South Carolina, as a school for African-American youth. It is present-day Voorhees College, a historically black college (HBCU). She was a humanitarian and educator, founding several schools for black children.
Wright was born on April 3, 1872 in rural Talbotton, Georgia. Her father, John Wesley Wright, was an African-American carpenter. Her mother, Virginia Rolfe, was a Cherokee woman. Wright went to a school held in a church basement.
In 1888, she matriculated at Booker T. Washington's Tuskegee Institute as a night student. After two years, Wright moved to Hampton County, South Carolina to assist in a rural school for black children. After the school was burned, she returned to Tuskegee and graduated.
Inspired by her experience at Tuskegee and knowing the importance of education, Wright started several schools in the area of Denmark, but they failed due to arson, jealousy, or other reasons. Wright started a night school for African-American men in Hampton County.
In 1897, she moved to Denmark in rural Bamberg County, South Carolina. There she started a school over a store with the support of some influential people in the community. She raised money for what she called Denmark Industrial School, modeled after Tuskegee Institute.
Ralph Voorhees and his wife, philanthropists from Clinton, New Jersey, donated $5,000 for the purchase of land and construction of the school's first building. In 1902 Voorhees Industrial School opened for male and female students at the elementary and high school levels, and Wright was principal. Voorhees provided additional gifts during the next few years, and the General Assembly incorporated the school in his name.
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