LUCY CRAFT LANEY: GEORGIA'S FIRST FEMALE BLACK EDUCATOR

Lucy Craft Laney, a member of the first graduating class of Atlanta University in 1869, helped establish networks that furthered educational and civil rights for Black individuals, including the founding of the local NAACP chapter. As the principal of the Haines Normal and Industrial School in Augusta, Georgia, she not only shaped the minds of her students but also instilled a sense of pride and community among them. Educational institutions named in her honor continue this legacy of empowerment, teaching students the importance of resilience and advocacy. For example, Lucy C. Laney High School in Augusta, where distinguished graduates like Jackie Franklin Henry Carter have emerged, serves as a reminder of the important contributions Black educators have made to the fabric of American society. Celebrating these achievements helps to counteract contemporary efforts to whitewash history, as it highlights the undeniable influence of Black Americans in shaping the nation. Acknowledging figures like Laney is essential for creating a more inclusive and authentic narrative that resonates with all Americans.