Background
Born on April 8, 174 in Washington, District of Columbia, Cromwell was the daughter of Lucy McGuinn and John Wesley Cromwell, and the eldest of six children.
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Otelia Cromwell
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Smith College.
Career
In 1989, Smith College began the tradition of canceling afternoon and evening classes on a day in November to celebrate Otelia Cromwell Day, to discuss race and diversity. After graduating from the Miner Normal School (also known as the Normal School for Colored Girls), Cromwell taught in Washington, District of Columbia schools for several years before attending Howard University. In 1898 she transferred to Smith College, and graduated in 1900.
Cromwell continued teaching for a few years before resuming her education.
She earned a master"s degree from Columbia University in New York City, and received her Doctor of Philosophy from Yale University in 1926. In doing, so she was the first African-American woman to receive a Yale degree.
In 1950, Smith College awarded Cromwell an honorary doctorate. Cromwell went on to became a professor at Miner Teachers College, later becoming head of the literature department.
She taught there until her retirement in 1944.
Cromwell edited Readings from Negro Authors, an early anthology of African American literary contributions. She published a biography of Lucretia Mott in 1958, titled Lucretia Mott. The school closed its doors in 1985.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
April 25, 1972 (aged 98) -
Nationality
United States