Page:Women of distinction.djvu/122

76 Now, well prepared for the arduous duties of life's work, she went to Philadelphia in 1865 and took a position in the Institute for Colored Youth. In 1869 the principalship was made vacant, to which she was at once called. Accepting this important position, she has wisely and acceptably managed this school until now (1892).

As a successful teacher and a fluent and attractive public speaker, she needs no words of comment from us. Her record in this direction is far more eloquent in praise of her accomplishments than anything we can possibly say.

About 1886-'88 she began a movement to have an industrial school opened so that colored young men and women could learn trades that would be useful to them in after-life. This idea possibly grew out of the fact that the trades-unions closed their doors against young men and young women of this peculiar people. A lot of land was purchased at a cost of $17,000 and brick buildings erected thereon, and now over three hundred persons are learning trades.

The men learn stone-masonry, plastering, brick-laying, carpentry, shoe-making, tailoring and type-writing; in all seven useful trades. The women learn dress-makings millinery and cooking. So that all the members of the race receive instruction in and complete ten different trades in this industrial school without any additional cost.

The managers of the Institute have become the managers of the industrial department.

This immense undertaking has been from its beginning the work of Mrs. Coppin, who has successfully