Susan Elizabeth Frazier
*Susan Elizabeth Frazier was born on this date in 1864. She was a Black teacher and civic leader focused on women's issues and the rights and capacity of African Americans.
Susan Elizabeth Frazier was born in New York City to Helen Eldridge Frazier and Louis M. Frazier. She was the great-granddaughter of Black Revolutionary War Veteran Andrew Frazier. She attended New York City's Colored School #4, a public school, as a child, and later attended Hunter College. She graduated in 1888. After graduating, Frazier became a substitute teacher at P.S. 80 in New York City, teaching under a probationary license. Once she had completed the required hours, she applied to be added to the list of regular teachers.
She was the first Black woman on the list and was not contacted by any school to become a regular teacher for several years. On February 16, 1892, Frazier delivered an address to an audience of the Brooklyn Literary Union titled "Some Afro American Women of Mark," which is still referenced in contemporary books and dissertations, dating back to its original presentation.
In 1894, Frazier applied for a position as a public school teacher in New York City at a school with predominantly white students. Her application was declined due to her African heritage. At the time, Blacks could only teach other African Americans. So, she took her case to the courts, initially rejecting her plea in 1895. However, Frazier received an appointment in 1895 to teach in a racially integrated school in the system, becoming the first African American to teach in one of those schools in New York City. Her appointment was finalized on May 26, 1896. She faced pushback from other teachers and school officials but continued to teach until her death.
Frazier was among 15 New York City public school teachers who won a contest promoted in the spring of 1919 by the Evening Telegram. Based on votes from the public, the contest identified the most popular teachers and sent them to the very recently silenced battlefields of Europe. During World War I, she founded and was president of the Women's Auxiliary of the Old Fifteenth National Guard, an African American troop unit. She continued to work with the 369th Infantry as it became known. Frazier was president of the Women's Loyal Union in New York City. She was a member of St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Harlem, New York City, taught Sunday School, and was president of the Church Missionary Society.
Upon her death on February 3, 1924, full military honors were held in the 369th Regiment Armory, and her casket was draped with the American flag, unusual for Black women at the time. A memorial was held at St. Philip's, where the church unveiled a tablet placed in Frazier's honor by other teachers.
To Become an Elementary School Teacher
To Become a Middle School Teacher
To become a High School Teacher
