Program

National Votes for Women Trail

Subject

House, People

Location

6137 Burlington Rd, Gibsonville, NC 27249, USA

Lat/Long

36.067995, -79.623755

Grant Recipient

National Collaborative for Women's History Sites

Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, born 1883, was an activist and educator who dedicated her life to fighting for the educational and civil rights of African Americans. During her career she would form the Palmer Memorial Institute (PMI), a school for African Americans, as well as the Southern Commission for Interracial Cooperation and the Negro Business League. Dr. Brown served as the leader for the PMI for fifty years. In addition to her work with education, Brown worked tirelessly to combat the disenfranchisement of African American voters. This marker commemorates the former home of Dr. Brown that was part of the original PMI campus.

Born in Henderson, North Carolina, Brown’s grandparents were formerly enslaved. At the age of five Brown’s family moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Here, Brown would meet Alice Freeman Palmer, for whom the PMI was later named after, an educator who sponsored Brown’s own pursuit of higher learning.

Shortly after attending junior college Brown accepted a position in the American Missionary Association (AMA), however, upon arriving at the Bethany Institute in Sedalia in 1901 she found the facilities rundown and neglected. Though Brown worked to repair the school, ultimately the AMA was forced to close it, leaving Brown without a job. After receiving encouragement from local African Americans to start a school of her own, Brown began fundraising with her contacts in the North. Soon she had enough money to purchase and construct two buildings on 200 acres of land. The PMI’s board of trustees consisted solely of African Americans, and it was unique for the time as it offered courses geared for college readiness rather than only vocational trades. The PMI also provided classes aimed at preparing students to become active voters and participants in the democratic process.

Brown was involved in a number of organizations supporting voting rights for women and African Americans, including the National Council of Negro Women, and the North Carolina State Federation of Negro Women’s Clubs. In 1920 Brown organized a statewide voter education and registration drive for African American women.

Brown remained socially and politically involved throughout her life. She passed away in 1961, and was buried near her home, Canary Cottage, on the property of the former PMI. As of 2022, a museum dedicated to her legacy operated on the property.