FOOTPRINTS: THE WOMEN WHO INFLUENCED BOOKER T. WASHINGTON
Hardy, VA--- On Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., Booker T. Washington National Monument will host the program “Footprints: The Women Who Influenced Booker T. Washington.” The public is invited to attend this FREE presentation of four women dressed in period appropriate clothing representing some of the women who were an integral part of Dr. Booker T. Washington’s life! These women include his mother Jane Washington, his owner’s wife Elizabeth Burroughs, Viola Ruffner who was one of his first employers, and Olivia Washington who was his 2nd wife.
Jane Washington (?-1876) was the mother of Booker T. Washington, an older son John, and a younger daughter Amanda. Jane served as the cook on the Burroughs farm and brought from Bedford County, VA to Franklin County in 1850 when Burroughs bought land in Hales Ford. Her husband was Washington Ferguson, who had escaped from slavery, and lived and worked in the salt furnaces and coal mines of what is now West Virginia where Jane died.
Tressa Moore, who is a second-grade teacher for Franklin County Public Schools and currently pursuing her Masters in Supervision and Administration at Averett University will portray Jane.
Elizabeth Walthall Robertson Burroughs (1802-1893) -At the age of 16, Elizabeth married James Burroughs and together, they raised 14 children. In 1850, the Burroughs family moved from Bedford to a farm near Hales Ford in Franklin County where they grew tobacco. James owned several enslaved people including his cook, Jane, and her children. It was at this farm that they were emancipated in April 1865. James died during the Civil War, and Elizabeth was eventually forced to sell the farm in 1870. For the next 23 years, she lived on and off with various family members. Elizabeth Burroughs is buried in Bedford County.
Beatrice Iceman brings to life Elizabeth Walthall Robertson Burroughs (1802-1893). She is a Master Volunteer Ranger in the National Park Service.
Viola Knapp Ruffner (1812-1903) was born in Arlington, Vermont February 1812. After studying at Bennington Academy in Vermont she held teaching positions in North Carolina and New Jersey before accepting the role of governess for Lewis Ruffner’s seven children in Malden, West Virginia in 1843. Within a year she and Mr. Ruffner were married and eventually had three children together. After the Civil War a young, emancipated slave came to work in their home. This young man, Booker T. Washington, was eager to learn to read and write. Their friendship remained until the end of her life in 1903. Mr. Washington called her “one of the best friends I ever had.”
Sheridan Brown is proud to portray Viola Ruffner on the stage for the first time after spending many years as a schoolteacher and principal. She recently authored “The Viola Factor.”
Olivia Davidson Washington (1854-1889) was born in Mercer County, Va. to a former slave father and free mother. Booker T. Washington noticed her at the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute and later ask her to help him lead in building and educating at Tuskegee Institute. There they worked very closely in the advancement of black education and married in 1885 after the passing of his first wife. She helped raise his daughter, Portia, and later had their two sons Booker, Jr. and Ernest.
Harmoni Walker is honored to play Olivia Washington in this celebration of women in history. You can catch Harmoni on stage from time to time performing in the city of Lynchburg theaters. This is her second participation project in a Booker T. Washington National Monument production.
Dr. Booker T. Washington once described his mother as “the noblest embodiment of womanhood.” Jump into spring and enjoy learning about some of the “footprints” left behind by women who influenced Washington’s life! Admission is free so bring your friends and family!
Fees
This event is free to attend.
Schedule
Date:
Time:
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Contact Information
Timothy Sims
540-721-2094
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Event Type
- Living History