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Septima Clark Birthplace

Septima Poinsette Clark, who Martin Luther King Jr. called “the Mother of the Movement,” was a nationally influential Civil Rights activist. She was born at 105 Wentworth St. on May 3, 1898 to Peter Poinsette, a former slave, and Victoria Anderson, who was of Haitian descent. Clark earned her teacher’s certificate from Charleston’s Avery Normal Institute and her master’s from Hampton Institute. She taught for nearly 40 years.

In 1953, Clark visited the Highlander Folk School in TN, which was dedicated to training community organizers and pursuing equality for all. Here she developed the “citizenship school” model, which promoted literacy and political education. By 1965 Clark had helped to organize nearly 900 citizenship schools, including the first one on nearby Johns Island, and had helped to register more than 50,000 Black voters.

10-97Charleston County

Where it stands. 105 Wentworth St., Charleston, Charleston

African American historyWomen's historyHomes and landmarks
The organization grew. I think it happened because of the team of workers.
Septima Poinsette ClarkSeptima Clark, edited oral history interviews, “Their Own Talking: Septima Clark and Women in the Civil Rights Movement,” Southern Cultures 16, no. 2 (Summer 2010); on the Citizenship Education Program.The subject of this marker, in their own words. Carolina Quotes record

Nearby

  1. 10-130Charleston Riot of 19190.1 miles
  2. 10-79Kress Building0.1 miles
  3. 10-112College of Charleston0.1 miles
  4. 10-49Pollitzer House0.2 miles
  5. 10-22St. John's Church0.2 miles
  6. 10-139K.K. Beth Elohim0.2 miles