Mamie Williams House

Mamie Williams spent more than 75 years on Quincy St as a prominent pillar of the Topeka community.

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

1503 Quncy Street, Topeka, KS 66612

Significance:

Home of Mamie Williams, Prominent Topeka Figure.

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

No

MANAGED BY:

Private Residence

Mamie Luella Williams was an educator and activist in Topeka, Kansas. She was born in 1894 in Greenwood, South Carolina. Five years later she moved with her family to Topeka, where she would become an accomplished teacher and principle at the segregated elementary schools in the city. Williams was one of three African American students to graduate from Topeka High School in 1911 and the only African American to graduate from Washburn University in 1915. In 1924 she received an Master's Degree from Columbia University in New York City. Starting her career as a teacher at Buchanan Elementary School in 1918, she went on to work at Washington and Monroe Elementary schools, serving as Washington's principle on top of her teaching teaching load. She retired from teaching in 1960 after serving Topeka for 42 years. After retiring Williams continued to advocate for her community until her passing in 1986. In 1976 she was featured in a documentary titled, "75 Years on Quincy Street," where she talked about her career and life in Topeka. Located two blocks from the former Monroe Elementary School is the Williams Science and Fine Arts Magnet School, named in honor of Miss Williams. 

Tags: brown v. board of education national historical park, civil rights, african american history, african american education, brvb-tour

• Mamie Williams

  
  

  Life and times of Mamie Luella WIlliams

  Credit / Author:

  NPS

  Audio Transcript

  Mamie Luella Williams was an educator and activist in Topeka, Kansas. She was born in 1894 in Greenwood, South Carolina. Five years later she moved with her family to Topeka, where she would become an accomplished teacher and principle at the segregated elementary schools in the city. Williams was one of three African American students to graduate from Topeka High School in 1911 and the only African American to graduate from Washburn University in 1915. In 1924 she recived an Master's Degree from Columbia Univeristy in New York City. Starting her career as a teacher at Buchanan Elementary School in 1918, she went on to work at Washington and Monroe Elementary schools, serving as Washington's principle on top of her teaching teaching load. She retired from teaching in 1960 after serving Topeka for 42 years. After retiring Williams continued to advocate for her community until her passing in 1986. In 1976 she was featured in a documentary titled, "75 Years on Quincy Street," where she talked about her career and life in Topeka. Located two blocks from the former Monroe Elementary School is the Williams Science and Fine Arts Magnet School, named in honor of Miss Williams.