Nannie Helen Burroughs (1879–1961): The Voice for Black Women’s Empowerment

Introduction

Nannie Helen Burroughs was a pioneering educator, orator, and activist who dedicated her life to uplifting African American women through faith, education, and labor. As a woman who refused to be limited by racial or gender boundaries, she created spaces for Black women to lead with dignity and purpose in the early 20th century. Burroughs founded a school to train women for independence and public service, and used her pen and voice to challenge both white supremacy and male dominance in the Black church.

Notable Achievements

Founder of the National Training School for Women and Girls (1909): Burroughs established the school in Washington, D.C., to educate working-class Black women and girls. Her curriculum included domestic science, business, and civics—training students for employment and leadership.

Faith and Activism: A devout Baptist, Burroughs used her religious platform to demand justice, writing powerful speeches and sermons that fused Christian faith with calls for racial and gender equity. From the pulpit and the podium, she challenged both white paternalism and Black male chauvinism.

Women’s Rights Advocate in the Black Community: As secretary of the Women’s Auxiliary to the National Baptist Convention, she elevated the role of Black women in church leadership and organized national campaigns for literacy, voting, and moral uplift.

“How Sisters Are Hindered from Helping”: In this 1900 essay, Burroughs boldly confronted sexism within the Black church, making one of the earliest public critiques of gender inequality in African American institutions. The piece remains a foundational text in Black feminist thought.

Political and Educational Leadership: Burroughs was appointed to national advisory committees under multiple presidential administrations, advocating for labor rights and Black education. Her influence extended to civil rights, economic justice, and women’s independence.

Impact on Society

Nannie Helen Burroughs helped redefine the role of Black women in American life, especially in the church, workplace, and classroom. Her work laid a foundation for the modern Black women’s movement and helped establish a model of education that centered dignity, self-reliance, and collective progress. Her belief that “education and justice are democracy’s only hope” inspired future generations.

Critical Reflection Questions

How did Burroughs balance her religious convictions with her political and social advocacy?

What barriers did she face as a Black woman leader in religious and public spaces?

How does her work connect to the modern movement for Black women’s rights and education?

Further Reading and Media

Book: Nannie Helen Burroughs: A Documentary Portrait of an African American Christian Activist by Kelisha B. Graves
Essay: “How Sisters Are Hindered from Helping” (1900)
Exhibit: National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) features artifacts from Burroughs’s school

Nannie Helen Burroughs’s fearless vision, bold voice, and unwavering faith created lasting institutions that empowered Black women and challenged oppressive systems. Her legacy continues to influence educators, activists, and spiritual leaders working at the intersection of race, gender, and justice.