Mrs. Geeder Rosenwald School was one of those institutes that challenged societal norms and stereotypes by helping the majority of outcasts. In the 18th-19th century, when America treated black people as slaves and even the basic education for black children was unacquainted.
That’s when Mrs. Geeder Rosenwald School started questioning such practices that promote colorism. The initiative from Rosenwald’s school had a major impact on the equality status we have today in America between blacks and whites.
In today’s article, we will delve into the contribution made by active members, the significance, impact, and story behind the abandoned buildings of this school.
Significance of Mrs. Geeder Rosenwald School
The idea behind the establishment of the institute was to give equal social status to the black community. Education was a powerful tool to uplift the status of blacks in America and prepare them for post-secondary education to improve their lives.
The reason Mrs. Geeder Rosenwald School holds high significance is due to:
- This school played a pivotal role in civil rights moments as it was the epicenter for meetings, rallies, and activities.
- The school was against the blacks and white segregation, and their initiative took the movement mainstream and empowered African Americans.
- Notable contribution by Mrs. Feeder Rosenwald School is still engraved even after generations. The school inspired many teachers, alumni, and people who joined the movement.
- The school wasn’t just for academics and conventional study, the institute also provided skill-based training to ensure job opportunities.
During the segregation phase in America, the majority of privileges were not given to African Americans. The Rosenwald School was not just a school, but an important part of history that sparked the civil rights moments for blacks.
Currently, the buildings of this school across the US are just abandoned sites that serve as a memorial to all the efforts. The legacy of Mrs. Feeder Rosenwald School is an example of how philanthropy and undying efforts to uplift backward communities have a humongous effect on society.
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History of Mrs. Geeder Rosenwald School
The first school was established in 1913 in Alabama, funded by popular businessman and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald with Booker T. Washington.
From 1917 to 1932, they built over 5000 schools through a charity known as the Rosenwald Funds.
According to Wikipedia, the black community raised over $4.7 million for the development of schools and availing educational resources for students.
The institutes were spread throughout the US, Missouri, Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas, making them accessible to all American African children.
Now you might be wondering why there is Mrs. Geeder’s name involved with the institute. Well, Mrs. Geeder was an actual founder and teacher at Rosenwald School who played a remarkable role in the movement.
She knew how the essence of education could uplift her community from poverty. This prompted her to dedicate her life to providing exceptional teaching methods.
Her ability to multitask and organize tribal areas, collect funds, teach students, and conduct meetings was unwavering. Locals contributed by providing land, labor, some donations, and assistance in development. The sense of unity and awareness was a crucial element that drove the movement to success.
According to statistics by A&M University, more than 35,000 students took part in their school in the Georgia district alone, which had 242 schools in total. Overall, the school educated more than 700,000 students who were able to uplift their lives.
Not only their livelihood was upgraded but astonishingly, it was found out by the census that the life expectancy of African Americans residing in rural southern blacks was improved. It showcases that Rosenwald School not only positively impacted cognitive learning but also improved their lifestyle and health.
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Academics and Curriculum
The subjects and syllabus in these schools were not so different from public schools, but Mrs. Geeder’s education policy was slightly bent towards vocational training. The programs offered to students included science, mathematics, literature, and skill-based training.
Vocational courses include carpentry, agriculture, home science, and domestic science that could actually help them to earn something. As per the records, the students who passed out from Mrs. Feeder Rosenwald’s School were able to secure well paying jobs and improve their lifestyles.
The curriculum was not just limited to reading and writing but overall holistic development as well. The idea of including skill and hands-on learning in academics was partially supported by Booker T. Washington.
Moreover, the school had its issues regarding the resources and infrastructure; the funds collected and donated by people weren’t enough. Certainly, there was a lack of qualified teachers due to segregation laws in America and no professional setup was being provided.
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Architecture of Rosenwald School
The setup of Mrs. Geeder Rosenwald School was quite distinct from traditional schools. Mainly not very large in size but efficient enough to conduct classes of hundreds of students.
The architect of the school was designed by Booker T. Washington, as he wanted schools to be well-ventilated and have large windows for natural light. Even today, the majority of modern classrooms take inspiration from such designs and install large windows.
But building such a large number of classrooms wasn’t easy, especially when there was a lack of sufficient funds and resources.
Initially, the school faced hindrances in gathering educational materials such as books, stationery materials, and proper furniture. But till the end of the 1920s, the school had over 5000+ buildings. This is a testament to how you can allocate your limited resources and build something remarkable out of it.
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What Happened to Mrs. Geeder Rosenwald School?
The school was successful in its mission and played a significant role in defining the outcome of the civil rights movement. In 1952, Brown V. Education Board was a defining moment for the right to education of colored races in the US.
The court overruled the 1896 law of racial segregation, stating that discrimination in public schools is unconstitutional. Blacks and other racial groups children were allowed to be admitted to any public school in the US and avail of all the facilities.
The school operated till 1959 and served its purpose of inspiring the African American community to take a stand and fight for their rights. The majority of public schools where blacks were not allowed to study became accessible, and slowly the essence of Rosenwald School started to fade away.
Currently, the majority of the school buildings are just abandoned wasteland and some of them are destroyed as well. Only around 10% of structured have survived till this date as the symbol of struggle and for remembering how they overcame oppression.
In 2001, the National Trust for Historic Preservation declared the Mrs. Geeder Rosenwald School an endangered site. Several NGOs and government bodies have contributed to restoring such a historic structure with so much history in it.
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How Does Mrs. Geeder Rosenwald School Change the Outlook Towards the Black Community?
Earlier, the political element was the biggest roadblock for the black community, as there were segregation laws that impacted the quality of education. Although, over time, the number of schools surely expanded, there was a lack of qualified teachers.
This stimulated the chain effect to uplift the societal status and achieve better designation in society. Usually, white teachers who were qualified and had better work experience wouldn’t teach in such schools due to segregation laws and less pay. This resulted in,
- The Geeder Rosenwald School was not just an educational institute but a place where African Americans used to gather, and several events were organized.
- It helped them to connect with several people and get to know about their real identity. This way they were able to preserve their culture.
- In today’s world, the ratio of blacks serving in prestigious designations is quite high. Whether it’s the CEO, president, military officer, or even the renowned athletes, they are showing the world what they are capable of.
- The building of the school might have turned into dust, but its significance is engraved and remains an important heritage site of African Americans.
Teachers like Mrs. Greeder and many more inspired many upcoming generations to do better and uplift the entire society. Its teachings and many elements are still being implied in modern schools, and this is what the visionaries behind the school may have wanted.
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Conclusion
The contribution made by the founders and Mrs. Geeder towards the school is unforgettable and still holds an everlasting impression in America. The initiative to restore abandoned buildings is a testament to how people still value their efforts in the past and want to preserve such a historic gem.
The school showed the community how equality in education is the key towards growth and enrichment. By breaking the stereotypes and societal norms, the world could live in harmony.
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FAQs
Ans: Mrs. Geeder Rosenwald School was a special school built for southern black Americans. However, the Brown V. Board of Education enforced public educational institutes to treat all races equally and provide equal opportunity. After the Supreme Court judgment, the black community was allowed to take admission in public schools and colleges that were more equipped with resources. Hence, the significance of Rosenwald School was diminished but served its purpose of uplifting African Americans.
Ans: There were more than 5000 Mrs. Geeder Rosenwald schools at the time.
Ans: There is an undying effort by the community to restore such a prestigious institute. In 2024, a project by Belinda Stewart Architect was launched to restore 3 buildings.
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