Barker, Mary Cornelia, 1879-1963

Mary Cornelia Barker, educator and labor activist (1879-1963), was born in Atlanta, Georgia, the daughter of Thomas Nathaniel and Dora (Lovejoy) Barker. She taught school in Stockbridge, McDonough, and Decatur, Georgia (1900-1904), before becoming a teacher and principal in Atlanta Public School System (1921-1944). While with Atlanta Public Schools, Barker was president of Local #89 (1921-1923), and president of the National American Federation of Teachers (1925-1931); a founder of the Southern Summer School for Women Workers in Industry (1927); the first woman appointed to the Georgia State Board for Vocational Education (1927); and was involved in the move for tenure, equal salary schedules for elementary and secondary school teachers, retirement benefits, and the establishment of a teachers' credit union. Barker belonged to several civic, labor, and civil rights organizations and helped to form a union for Atlanta's black teachers.

From the description of Mary Cornelia Baker papers, 1912-1971. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 84567574