Sarah Ann Dickey
Encyclopedia
Sarah Ann Dickey was an ordained minister who founded the historically black
institution of higher education for women
in Clinton, Mississippi
, Mount Hermon Female Seminary
in 1875. She devoted her life to the development of educational opportunities for African-Americans.
. Although her education only began at the age of sixteen, she received a teacher's certificate only three years later. During the Civil War she traveled to Vicksburg, Mississippi
, to teach recently freed former slaves. After the American Civil War
, she attended Mount Holyoke Female Seminary (now Mount Holyoke College
), graduating in 1869.
, which opened in October 1875 in Clinton, Mississippi. The Seminary was modeled after Mount Holyoke, offering education for women, and preparing them for roles primarily as teachers.
The Seminary was eventually closed in 1924 by the American Missionary Association, which had its own college in Tougaloo, Mississippi
. Dickey was ordained a minister in her church, the United Brethren Church, in 1896.
Dickey never married but raised several children left in her care.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Historically black colleges and universities are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community....
institution of higher education for women
Women's colleges in the United States
Women's colleges in the United States are single-sex U.S. institutions of higher education that exclude or limit males from admission. They are often liberal arts colleges...
in Clinton, Mississippi
Clinton, Mississippi
Clinton is a city in Hinds County, Mississippi, United States. Situated in the Jackson metropolitan area, it is the tenth largest city in Mississippi. The population was 23,347 at the 2000 United States Census.-History:...
, Mount Hermon Female Seminary
Mount Hermon Female Seminary
Mount Hermon Female Seminary in Clinton, Mississippi was a historically black institution of higher education for women.Founded in 1875 by Sarah Ann Dickey, the school was patterned after Dickey's alma mater, Mount Holyoke Female Seminary .The seminary was eventually closed in 1924 by the American...
in 1875. She devoted her life to the development of educational opportunities for African-Americans.
Background
Dickey was born near Dayton, OhioDayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
. Although her education only began at the age of sixteen, she received a teacher's certificate only three years later. During the Civil War she traveled to Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg is a city in Warren County, Mississippi, United States. It is the only city in Warren County. It is located northwest of New Orleans on the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, and due west of Jackson, the state capital. In 1900, 14,834 people lived in Vicksburg; in 1910, 20,814; in 1920,...
, to teach recently freed former slaves. After the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, she attended Mount Holyoke Female Seminary (now Mount Holyoke College
Mount Holyoke College
Mount Holyoke College is a liberal arts college for women in South Hadley, Massachusetts. It was the first member of the Seven Sisters colleges, and served as a model for some of the others...
), graduating in 1869.
Career
She returned to Mississippi to continue working with African-Americans recently freed from slavery. She organized and established the Mount Hermon Female SeminaryMount Hermon Female Seminary
Mount Hermon Female Seminary in Clinton, Mississippi was a historically black institution of higher education for women.Founded in 1875 by Sarah Ann Dickey, the school was patterned after Dickey's alma mater, Mount Holyoke Female Seminary .The seminary was eventually closed in 1924 by the American...
, which opened in October 1875 in Clinton, Mississippi. The Seminary was modeled after Mount Holyoke, offering education for women, and preparing them for roles primarily as teachers.
The Seminary was eventually closed in 1924 by the American Missionary Association, which had its own college in Tougaloo, Mississippi
Tougaloo, Mississippi
Tougaloo is an area in Hinds County, Mississippi. Its ZIP Code, 39174, is assigned to the area encompassing Tougaloo College. Actress Aunjanue Ellis was raised in Tougaloo.-External links:*...
. Dickey was ordained a minister in her church, the United Brethren Church, in 1896.
Dickey never married but raised several children left in her care.