Bessie Burke
Bessie Bruington Burke (March 19, 1891 - 1968) was the first African American teacher and principal hired in the Los Angeles public school system.[1]
In 1887, Burke's parents left their farms and teaching jobs in Kansas via a covered wagon. They settled in what is now North Hollywood. Burke attended Berendo Elementary School; Polytechnic High School; and the Los Angeles State Normal School (LANS), which is now a part of the University of California, Los Angeles. Burke graduated seventh in a class of 800 from LANS. By 1911, Burke had received her teaching credentials and became the first black teacher in the Los Angeles Public School System.[1]
Burke began teaching at Holmes Elementary School and became the first black principal in L.A. in 1918. In 1938, she became a principal at Nevin Avenue School, making her the first black principal to head a racially integrated school.[1][2][3]
Burke served in a number of civic organizations including the YWCA, Native California club, the Women's Political Study Club, and the NAACP.[4] Burke was also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She retired from the Los Angeles Board of Education in 1955.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "Bessie Burke". National Park Service. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Teachers Honor Mrs. Bessie Burke" Chicago Defender (January 9, 1937): 7. via ProQuest
- ^ "Bessie Burke Receives Tribute of Community at Testimonial Fete" Chicago Eagle (February 22, 1940): 4. via Internet Archive
- ^ "Who's Who in California" The Official Negro Directory (New Age Publishing 1942): 217.
