Hughes, Carrie, 1873-1938

Carrie Langston Hughes (b. Carolina Mercer Langston, Jan. 18, 1973, Lake View, KS-d. Jun. 3, 1938, New York, NY) daughter of Charles Langston and Mary Leary and grew up in Kansas. She was known for being beautiful and also was part of Lawrence's (KS) St. Luke's Progressive Club and elected 'Critic' at a rival society at the Warren Street Second Baptist Church. As a writer, Hughes was knom for supporting suffrage and women's rights; she encourages the participation of Black women in politics.

In 1899, she married James Hughes and the couple moved to Joplin, Missouri. James moved to Mexico to escape segregation in the U.S. while Carrie stayed in Joplin. In 1902, Carrie gave birth to James Mercer Langston Hughes, the famous poet, playright, and activist. Langston Hughes was mostly raised by relatives. Carrie attempted to enroll him in the Harrison Street School (Topeka, KS) but the young Hughes was rejected becuase he was Black. Carrie took her case before the Topeka Board of Education and won. She then married her second husband, Homer Clark.

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