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.

Hubert Locke (1934-2018)

Hubert Gaylord Locke was an author and authority on police and urban affairs as well as a longtime professor and administrator at the University of Washington. A Detroit native, Locke was born there on April 30, 1934 to Willa L. Locke, a homemaker, and Hubert … Read MoreHubert Locke (1934-2018)

Janie Rogella Washington (1908-2000)

Image courtesy of the James W. Washington, Jr. & Mrs. Janie Rogella Washington Foundation 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 … Read MoreJanie Rogella Washington (1908-2000)

John Stanford (1938-1998)

John Stanford (Image Courtesy of the A. Philip Randolph Institute) 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 … Read MoreJohn Stanford (1938-1998)

Tyree Scott (1940-2003)

Image Ownership: Public Domain Tyree Scott was a Seattle civil rights and labor leader who opened the door to women and minority workers in the construction industry.  Scott was born in Hearne (Wharton County), Texas and before moving to Seattle in 1966, he served in … Read MoreTyree Scott (1940-2003)

Walter Hubbard Jr. (1924-2007)

Image courtesy of Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project (http://depts.washington.edu/civilr/) 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 … Read MoreWalter Hubbard Jr. (1924-2007)

John E. Prim (1898-1961)

Image courtesy of Black Heritage Society 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 … Read MoreJohn E. Prim (1898-1961)

Walter R. Hundley (1929-2002)

  Image Ownership: Public Domain 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 … Read MoreWalter R. Hundley (1929-2002)

Thelma Dewitty (1912-1977)

  Image courtesy of Seattle Urban League, UW Special Collections 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 … Read MoreThelma Dewitty (1912-1977)

Rosalie Reddick Miller (1925-2005)

Image Ownership: Public Domain 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 … 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)