Introduction of Olivia Davidson

Olivia Davidson was born June 11, 1854 and died on May 9, 1889. She was an African American teacher and wife to Booker T. Washington. She graduated from the Framingham State Normal School and became a teacher. Additionally, she founded the Tuskegee Normal School with her husband as well. However, after all of her life accomplishments, when she died, the only thing inscribed on her gravestone commemorating her was “wife of Booker T. Washington”. Not “teacher”, “student”, “educator”, or even “advocate”. Davidson’s life consisted of much more than just being Washington’s wife. However, this time period is before the Harlem Renaissance. Many people did not see African American women as much more than mothers and wives that fulfilled domestic duties. This sets the stage, in a way, for all female African American educators who came after her. These artifacts show that while women were not particularly valued or seen for more than the domestic roles of “mother” and “wife”, that women, African American women in particular, were still slowly but surely advancing in society.