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Willa Townsend, Educator born

Willa Townsend

Willa Townsend was born on this date in 1880. She was a Black educator.

From Nashville, TN, Willa Ann Hadley Townsend was the daughter of Sam P. and Mary Hadley. She was educated in Nashville public schools and received degrees from Fisk University, Roger Williams University, and Northwestern University, as well as a degree in religious education from the National Baptist Missionary Training School. Young Hadley taught in Nashville's public schools, at Roger Williams University, and the Howe Institute in Memphis. She also served as organist and music director for Spruce Street Baptist Church.

She met and married Arthur M. Townsend, a physician at church. When her husband became president of Roger Williams University, she worked as music director for the university's singers. The Roger Williams Singers toured, raising funds, and built three buildings on the campus, yet the university closed in December 1929.  As a hymnologist, songwriter, and music director, one of Townsend's most outstanding works was the Baptist Standard Hymnal. She also served as chair for the Sunday School Publishing Board of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., compiling and editing "Gospel Pearls" and "Spirituals Triumphant." This work is still used today by many Black Baptist churches.

Townsend belonged to several civic organizations, including the Women's Auxiliary of the Nashville Medical Association and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Willa A. Townsend died on a Sunday morning, May 25, 1947.

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