Title

Harris-Stowe State University/Turner Middle School - DR. RUTH HARRIS

Description

As the first African American female president of Stowe Teachers College, Dr. Ruth Harris transformed the school from within. Through the creation of her volunteer program, soon-to-be teachers volunteered and learned about the communities from which their students came. This helped teachers learn how to best help and advocate for their students and parents. Dr. Harris also helped turn Stowe Teachers College into a cultural community center, bringing in prominent Black performers, scholars and activists to the school. This created a new space for the community where culture was accessible and inclusive at a time where most places banned African Americans. While Dr. Ruth Harris’ presidency ended with the merger between the white Harris Teachers College and the black Stowe Teachers College, her legacy as an educator and community activist shaped many lives in St. Louis.

Creator

Delaney Schurer

Semester

Intro to Public History

Subject

Historic Marker Nominations

Stowe Teachers College

Dr. Ruth Harris

Harris-Stowe State University

Turner Middle School

Cultural Community Center

Black Power

Community memory

Remembrance

St. Louis History

Language

English

Publisher

UMSL Digital Humanities Lab

Date

2020

Identifier

Coordinates: 38.632266, -90.223904 (Harris-Stowe State University)