Date
5-1-2025
Department
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD)
Chair
Thomas Adams Upchurch
Keywords
Women's History, African American Women's History, African American History, African American Studies, education, business, entrepreneurship, banking, Progressive Era, Women's Suffrage, religion, politics, racism, sexism, 19th century, 20th century, 21st century, HBCUs, clubwomen, women's activism, women's advocacy, racial uplift, Civil Rights Movement, Anna Julia Cooper, Mary Church Terrell, Maggie Lena Walker, Mary McLeod Bethune, Mable Parker McLean, Nannie Helen Burroughs, Charlotte Hawkins Brown, Fannie Barrier Williams
Disciplines
History
Recommended Citation
McKinney, Louise C., "The Relationship Between Education and Entrepreneurship within African American Women’s History as Evidenced by Eight Exemplary Success Stories" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6901.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6901
Abstract
The educational and economic achievements of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other institutions of learning parallel the rise of black entrepreneurial history in the 1900s. They contributed to the historical context of the African American narrative through individual development, political and social changes, educational advancement, and national and regional changes in the concept of black wealth. These institutions provided a new platform for African Americans to rebuild their lives and futures in the post-Reconstruction era. This study analyzes the connection between African American educational leadership and entrepreneurship by assessing the impact of black female educators and leaders who promoted opportunities for higher learning, increased financial success, and social activism for the black community. The trailblazing work of Anna Julia Cooper, Mary Church Terrell, Maggie Lena Walker, Mary McLeod Bethune, Mable Parker McLean, Nannie Helen Burroughs, Charlotte Hawkins Brown, and Fannie Barrier Williams helped to pave the way for positive change in the 20th century. They employed several avenues, including women’s suffrage, the women’s club movement, education, business, banking, entrepreneurship, and labor reform, to increase opportunities for higher learning while promoting racial uplift, financial improvement, social activism, and black elitism. These women challenged existing social norms through their advocacy for civil rights, changing the historical narrative of African Americans by promoting racial pride, self-help, and increased educational attainment.
The women in this study significantly impacted national education and social reforms by emphasizing the need for black education, supporting national organizations and causes with their knowledge, time, money, and social commitment, thereby providing black people with more opportunities for education and advancement in politics, society, and the economy.
Collectively and individually, women at these various institutions of learning not only helped blacks gain access to education, whether it was elementary or higher education, but also provided them with a way out of domestic and service jobs, opening up a future that had previously been denied to them. Black people were given competent role models for social, political, and economic betterment, which increased with each generation. Students, parents, medical facilities, schools, and racial uplift organizations all benefited from the support and development of these women teachers and educators.
The continued development and progress of education and entrepreneurship centers the commitment to black achievement, scholarship, collaboration, productivity, and professional development. The goal of excellence includes positive mentoring and guidance, which all of these women exhibited in their lives and careers, ensuring a lasting legacy of achievement and global impact.
