Susan Elizabeth Frazier (b. 1864 –d. 1924)
Born in New York City and a graduate of Hunter College, Frazier taught part-time in the New York public school system. After she became eligible to teach full-time in 1895, Frazier sued trustees of the 22nd Ward of the New York City Schools due to her being denied a full-time teaching position in 1894, 1895, and 1896 on the grounds of racial discrimination. Her case’s success, showing a violation of the department’s policy, allowed her to become the first black teacher in an integrated public school in New York. Outside of her career as an educator, Frazier was a member of the Women’s Loyal Union of New York City and wrote for Women’s Era, the first national newspaper published by and for black women. Also, in 1917 she founded the Women’s Auxiliary to the Old Fifteenth National Guard where she and other members supported the rights of black soldiers in World War I. Upon her death in 1924, she was given full military honors.
Additional Sources:
Alexander Street Short Biography:
Links to Writings by Frazier, via Alexander Street: https://search.alexanderstreet.com/wass/search?searchstring=&ff%5Bprimary_author_creator_facet%5D%5B0%5D=primary_author_creator_facet%3ASusan%20Elizabeth%20Frazier%2C%201864-1924
History Speaks Short Biography:
