Honoring Septima Clark

Born in 1898, Septima Poinsette Clark was known as “the Mother of the Movement.” A pioneer in grassroots education, her citizens workshops at the renowned Highlander School in Tennessee educated generations of activists in literacy, organizing, and voter’s rights. Eventually, these workshops evolved into Citizenship Schools across the South. She later led citizens education at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Thousands of leaders—including Rosa Parks and Ella Baker—were trained thanks to the workshops and schools she established. Septima Clark believed that education equaled empowerment. This belief would go on to shape the Civil Rights movement and is as relevant today as it was when she began her work.

We are inspired by the bravery and brilliance of black women like Septima Clark who have been at the center of social movements, but often remain overlooked and unsung. We want to honor their work and see their legacy as a blueprint for creating transformative change through education and dialogue.