Virginia Randolph

Teacher

Birthday August 6, 1870

Birth Sign Leo

Birthplace Virginia

DEATH DATE Mar 16, 1958 (87)

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About

Remembered for her tremendous contributions to the field of vocational training, this pioneering African-American educator and America's first "Jeanes [Foundation] Supervising Industrial Teacher" founded the Virginia Randolph Education Center.

Before Fame

After graduating from the Richmond Normal School, she taught briefly in Goochland County, Virginia, before establishing the Mountain Road School in Henrico County.

Trivia

In 1908, she instituted the Commonwealth of Virginia's Arbor Day Program by planting a dozen sycamore trees with her students.

Family Life

The daughter of ex-slaves Edward and Sarah Randolph, she grew up in Richmond, Virginia.

Associated With

Randolph and her Ohio-born contemporary Lillian Wald both pioneered public service and vocational training programs for America's minority groups (Wald is particularly well known for establishing public health services for New York's Jewish immigrant population).