Mary Henry

Independent Historian

Mary T. Henry is a retired Seattle Public Schools librarian and author ofTribute: Seattle Public Places Named for Black People. She is the African American contributing editor to HistoryLink, the archivist for Epiphany Church and serves on the board of the Seattle Education Foundation. She has served on the board of the Association of King County Historical Organizations and the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board. She was the editor of the Black Heritage Society Newsletter from 1993 to 2003.

Janie Rogella Washington (1908-2000)

Janie Rogella Washington was the wife of James W. Washington, Jr. (1911-2000), an internationally known Northwest artist.  A  Seattle nurse, she shared and inspired the spirituality that shaped his art.  One of 12 children, Janie Rogella Miller was born near Henderson, Texas to Freeman Miller … Read MoreJanie Rogella Washington (1908-2000)

John Stanford (1938-1998)

John Stanford was the superintendent of Seattle Public Schools from 1995 until his untimely death from leukemia in 1998.  He was born in Darby, Pennsylvania   on the outskirts of Philadelphia and graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science.  He joined … Read MoreJohn Stanford (1938-1998)

Walter Hubbard Jr. (1924-2007)

Seattle-based civil rights activist, labor leader, and lay Catholic leader Walter Hubbard envisioned a church and world without racism and worked his entire life to achieve that vision.  Hubbard was born in New Orleans in 1924.  He received little formal education but acquired extensive knowledge … Read MoreWalter Hubbard Jr. (1924-2007)

John E. Prim (1898-1961)

John Edmondson Prim was the first African American to serve as deputy prosecuting attorney for King County and the first African American judge in the State of Washington. He was born to Charles and Sara Prim in Nashville, Tennessee on September 15, 1898. In 1904, … Read MoreJohn E. Prim (1898-1961)

Walter R. Hundley (1929-2002)

Walter R. Hundley, minister, sociologist, civil rights worker, and administrator, served in a number of important offices in Seattle government.  Hundley was born in Philadelphia on March 8, 1929, and raised there in a black neighborhood which he recalled as being pretty rough.  He graduated … Read MoreWalter R. Hundley (1929-2002)

Thelma Dewitty (1912-1977)

Thelma Dewitty was the first black teacher to be hired by the Seattle Public Schools.  She had been a teacher in Corpus Christi, Texas for 14 years and began her Seattle teaching career in September 1947, after intervention on her behalf by the Seattle Urban … Read MoreThelma Dewitty (1912-1977)

Rosalie Reddick Miller (1925-2005)

Dr. Rosalie Reddick Miller was the first African American woman dentist to practice in the State of Washington.  She was born on December 29, 1925 in Waycross, Georgia.  She attended the all-black public schools in Columbus, Georgia and in 1946 received a B. A. degree from … Read MoreRosalie Reddick Miller (1925-2005)

Roberta Byrd Barr (1919-1993)

Roberta Byrd Barr was an African American educator, civil rights leader, actress, librarian, and television personality. She was a talented, multifaceted personality with a calm presence, thoughtful demeanor, and a darkly melodious voice which served her well in the many roles she played in the Seattle, … Read MoreRoberta Byrd Barr (1919-1993)

Powell S. Barnett (1883-1971)

Image Ownership: Public Domain Powell S. Barnett was a child when his father arrived in Roslyn to work in the coal mines.  Seeing no future in mining, Powell left for Seattle in 1906, and quickly found work. Years later, after working in construction and for hotels, he served as … Read MorePowell S. Barnett (1883-1971)