[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 58 (Thursday, April 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E640-E641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CELEBRATION OF ELIZABETH EVELYN WRIGHT DAY

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2010

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright Day, which will be commemorated this year on 
April 24th, in Talbotton, Georgia. Ms. Wright was an incredible woman. 
Her passion to inspire and educate the disenfranchised burned within, 
and her internal fire was often challenged by actual fire. She survived 
several arson attacks, yet remained undeterred. The flames of hatred 
were no match for the lamp of knowledge.
  Elizabeth Evelyn Wright was born April 3, 1872, in Talbotton, 
Georgia. She was raised in a poverty-stricken area of Talbotton known 
as ``Smith Hill.'' As a child, she was persistent in her educational 
endeavors. At St. Phillip's AME Church, she studied reading, writing, 
and arithmetic, and her scholastic excellence was quickly recognized by 
her professors.
  To realize her potential, Wright then enrolled at Tuskegee Institute 
in Alabama, where she worked in the cafeteria during the day and 
attended classes at night. With the aid of Olivia Washington, wife of 
Booker T. Washington who was then Principal of Tuskegee Institute, 
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright was able to attend daytime classes. She became 
close with the Washington family, and was affectionately known as 
``Lizzie.'' Mrs. Washington inspired Lizzie to use her exceptional 
talents to educate underprivileged African-American children.
  During her senior year of college, Wright was approached by Almira 
Steele, a white trustee at Tuskegee who knew of Lizzie's stellar 
academic reputation. She asked Lizzie to move to McNeill, South 
Carolina, to teach. In 1892, taking a hiatus from school, Lizzie 
realized her dream of educating African-American children and became 
inspired to open her own school.
  In 1893, the McNeill School burned to the ground due to a hate-fueled 
attack. Witnessing this injustice inspired Lizzie to return to Tuskegee 
to graduate. She resumed teaching in McNeill, this time, at her own 
school. Nevertheless, the flames of hatred burned again as

[[Page E641]]

white supremacists burned the lumber purchased to build Lizzie's 
schoolhouse and then set fire to the temporary classroom building. 
These were not the last fires of injustice Lizzie would experience in 
her lifetime. She would attempt three more times to build a school, and 
each met a fiery end.
  Undeterred, she moved to Denmark, South Carolina, and opened the 
Denmark Industrial School. In 1902, with the gracious aid of Ralph 
Voorhees, a blind philanthropist from New Jersey, Lizzie was able to 
purchase 280 acres of land. With the assistance of her friend and 
mentor Booker T. Washington, the school expanded, and was renamed the 
Voorhees Industrial School, which today is know as Voorhees College. In 
1904, the school was incorporated by the South Carolina State 
Legislature.
  Sadly, due to life-long illness, Lizzie passed away shortly 
thereafter, but she left an incredible legacy. She never yielded in the 
face of adversity, and strove to educate and inspire her community. Her 
passion still inspires the students of Voorhees College. Today, the 
college is an accredited four-year liberal arts college, dedicated to a 
diverse global society, life-long learning, healthy living and an 
abiding faith in God. The students aim to improve communities, society, 
and themselves.
  On April 2, 2009, my colleague, Congressman Clyburn, sponsored a 
Tribute to Elizabeth Evelyn Wright. In celebration of her birthday, the 
Citizens of Talbotton, Georgia, first declared ``Elizabeth Evelyn 
Wright Day'' on April 4, 2009. The Citizens of Talbotton, in 
celebration of the ``Second Annual Elizabeth Evelyn Wright Day,'' have 
asked that Congress again recognize the amazing contribution she made 
to education. On behalf of Georgia's Second Congressional District, 
which is proud to be the birthplace of Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, as well 
as the place she spent her formative years where her character, values, 
and academic excellence were developed, I am pleased to honor her 
today.
  Madam Speaker, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright was beyond remarkable, and has 
not been given an appropriate place in history. It is my hope to draw 
attention to this incredible educator, whose life and courage in the 
face of adversity continues to inspire students and teachers today.

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