Lucy Stanton: A Trailblazer for Education and Abolition

Lucy Stanton Day Sessions, a pioneering educator and abolitionist, holds a significant place in history as one of the first African American women to graduate from college. Born on October 16, 1831, in Cleveland, Ohio, she overcame numerous barriers in a time when education for African Americans, especially women, was not widely accessible. Stanton graduated in 1850 from Oberlin College, where she completed a Ladies' Literary Course, an achievement that was considered equivalent to a degree program by the institution. Although Oberlin later awarded the first official bachelor’s degree to an African American woman in 1862, Stanton's early accomplishment set an important precedent.

Her early life was shaped by her abolitionist family, including her stepfather, John Brown, a wealthy Black businessman and Underground Railroad activist. In 1846, Stanton enrolled in Oberlin, a progressive abolitionist institution where she became president of the Ladies’ Literary Society and delivered a powerful commencement speech, "A Plea For The Oppressed," advocating for the abolition of slavery. After her graduation, Stanton worked as a teacher and became actively involved in the abolitionist movement.

Stanton's personal life was marked by both challenges and triumphs. In 1852, she married fellow Oberlin graduate William Howard Day, and together, they contributed to Cleveland's Black community, with Stanton becoming the first African American woman to have a fictional story published. The couple later moved to Canada to teach fugitive slaves, but after her husband’s abandonment, Stanton returned to Cleveland, where she continued her fight for freedom and equality. She later taught in the South, aided by the Cleveland Freedman’s Association, and continued her work as a philanthropist and advocate for social reforms, including women’s rights and temperance.

Lucy Stanton's legacy is a testament to her resilience, intellect, and unwavering commitment to justice. Throughout her life, she broke down barriers for African American women in education, and her contributions to the abolitionist movement have left an enduring mark on history. She passed away in 1910 in Los Angeles, but her work as an educator and abolitionist continues to inspire generations.