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Bessie Burke, Los Angeles Educator born

Bessie Burke

*This date marks the birth of Bessie Bruington Burke in 1891. She was a Black educator and administrator from Los Angeles, California.

Her parents left their farms and teaching professions in Kansas and came to Los Angeles in a covered wagon in 1887. They settled in what is now North Hollywood. Burke attended Berendo Elementary School, Polytechnic High School, and the Los Angeles State Normal School (now part of UCLA), graduating seventh in a class 800. She received her teaching credentials in 1911 and became the first Black teacher in the Los Angeles Public School system.

She began at Holmes Elementary School and became the principal (and the first Black in L.A.) 1918. In 1938, Burke held the same position at Nevin Avenue School. She was a distinguished humanitarian, respected educator, and academic administrator. Burke served with several civic organizations, including the YWCA, Native California Club, Wilfandel, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and the NAACP.

For over forty years, Bessie Burke was positioned in influential, powerful, and redeeming responsibilities in California. She died in 1968.

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