Thelma Dewitty: Inspiring Generations Through Education and Equity

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As we welcome a new year and Seattle students return to their classrooms, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center proudly reflects on the life and legacy of Thelma Dewitty (1912-1977). This February, in celebration of her birthday month and National Black History Month, we are hosting a community storytelling event in partnership with Seattle Children’s Theater to honor her invaluable contributions. Dewitty’s groundbreaking work as an educator and civil rights leader continues to inspire generations and enrich our community. We celebrate her accomplishments, including those rooted in the halls of Frank B. Cooper Elementary School, one of the many spaces where Dewitty left a lasting legacy and which now serves as the home of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Read on to learn about her history and exciting details on our upcoming event!

Breaking Barriers to Education

Upon moving to Washington from Texas at age 34, Dewitty pursued her graduate degree at the University of Washington, where she authored a mathematics book for children. She aspired to continue her long 14-year teaching career in the Seattle area. Her husband, a World War II Army veteran, moved to the city two years before working as a civilian employee at Seattle’s Port of Embarkation. She made history in 1947 as the first African American teacher hired by Seattle Public Schools, breaking barriers in an era when racial inequality was deeply entrenched across the United States.

With the support of organizations like the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, NAACP, Civic Unity Committee, and Christian Friends for Racial Equality, she was appointed as a second-grade teacher at Frank B. Cooper School. Now home to Youngstown, DNDA, tenant nonprofits, and Cooper Artist Housing, the school catered to a student body where over 80% were Black, Latinx, Asian American, and Indigenous. Dewitty’s role was transformative, and her pioneering spirit continues to inspire the integration of art, nature, and neighborhood to sustain our vibrant Delridge community today.

A Lifelong Advocate for Equity

Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Thelma Dewitty brought determination, resilience, and a deep commitment to justice to Seattle. Her arrival not only opened doors for other Black educators—five of whom joined Seattle Public Schools by the end of 1947—but also catalyzed systemic change.

Her influence extended well beyond the classroom. As president of Seattle’s NAACP chapter in the late 1950s, she championed equity and civil rights. She also served on the Washington State Board Against Discrimination and the City Board of Theater Supervisors, advocating tirelessly for fairness. Throughout her teaching career, which spanned from 1947 to 1973 in five different schools, she continued breaking barriers. At Laurelhurst, she successfully fought against discriminatory policies, such as segregated seating in the teachers’ lounge and unequal supply distribution. Dewitty’s efforts reshaped education and left a lasting impact on Seattle’s schools and the broader community.

The Historical Landmark: Frank B. Cooper School

The Frank B. Cooper School, now named Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, was

designated a historical landmark in 2002 and stopped functioning as an Elementary school in 2009. This landmark designation was in part a recognition of Dewitty’s trailblazing contributions to Seattle’s educational history. Today, the Thelma Dewitty Theater, within Youngstown, stands as a powerful reminder of her legacy and a testament to education’s role in fostering social change. For details on last year’s renovations, read our blog post here.

Continuing Her Legacy as Voiced by Our Board President Shannon Woodard

As we reflect on Thelma Dewitty’s remarkable achievements, we are reminded of the enduring power of her legacy. To shed light on the profound impact of Dewitty’s contributions and their resonance today, our Board President, Shannon Woodard, shares her reflections on this extraordinary leader.

In the fall of 2015, I was introduced to DNDA and Youngstown. One of the first stories I encountered was about Ms. Dewitty’s remarkable legacy—a narrative that deeply resonated with me. As a mixed-race individual who grew up in predominantly white communities, I came to a startling realization: over the course of 18 years of education, including five years of undergraduate studies, I had never been taught by someone who looked like me.

This discovery led me to learn more about Ms. Dewitty. I imagined her walking the halls of Frank B. Cooper School as one of its first and only Black teachers. What must it have been like to navigate such an isolating and groundbreaking role? Did she feel supported by her colleagues? Was she burdened by the fear that any misstep might be unfairly viewed as a reflection of her entire race? How did she summon the strength and vulnerability to lead with courage in the face of racial and gender oppression?

Side portrait of Mrs. Dewitty. 1949.

Trailblazing is never easy, but it is often fueled by an extraordinary love—love for oneself, for those who came before, for those who walk alongside, and for those who will follow. That love is still alive within the halls of Youngstown. It inspires our mission, vision, and values and shapes how we strive for equity in our community. It heals wounds, uplifts spirits, and challenges each of us to aspire toward creating our own impactful legacy.

Mrs. Dewitty’s story is a reminder that legacies are not just built through actions but through the values and resilience we embody every day. Her strength continues to resonate as a call to action, urging us to honor her work by carrying it forward in our own lives. At Youngstown, her spirit challenges us to embrace the responsibility of fostering a more inclusive, compassionate, and equitable world—one where every individual feels empowered to contribute to a legacy of love, courage, and transformation.

Join Us in Celebrating Community Love!

We invite you to honor Thelma Dewitty’s extraordinary contributions during our National Black History Month event, which will be held on Sunday, February 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in partnership with Seattle Children’s Theater. Free and all ages are welcome.

• SCT Presents: The Hula Hoopin’ Queen: Circle of Love community poetry workshop from 1-2 p.m. with special guests master playwright Gloria Bond Clunie and book author Thelma Lynn Godin.
• Local youth art showcase: 2-3 p.m.
• Come with an open creative mind: What does neighborhood mean to you? We will collaborate to create a community art and poetry piece!

Learn more and register to join us at: https://www.sct.org/circle-of-love-workshop/

Let her story inspire us to work toward a future where every individual—regardless of race, background, or circumstance—can thrive and succeed.

-Written by the DNDA Communications Team

 

Sources:

1. 1. HistoryLink.org: Dewitty, Thelma (1912-1977).
   2. HistoryLink.org: Seattle public school system hires Thelma Dewitty and Marita Johnson as first Black instructors in September 1947.
   3. Wikipedia: Frank B. Cooper School.
   4. Wikipedia: Thelma Dewitty.
   5. Thelma Dewitty (1912-1977) • BlackPast.org