Otelia Cromwell

Otelia Cromwell (April 8, 1874 – April 25, 1972) was the first African-American graduate of Smith College, graduating in 1900. In 1989, Smith College began the tradition of canceling afternoon and evening classes on a day in November to celebrate Otelia Cromwell Day, to discuss race and diversity.
Born on April 8, 1874 in Washington, DC, Cromwell was the daughter of Lucy McGuinn and John Wesley Cromwell, and the eldest of six children. After graduating from the Miner Normal School (also known as the Normal School for Colored Girls), Cromwell taught in Washington, D.C. schools for several years before attending Howard University. In 1898 she transferred to Smith College, and graduated in 1900. Cromwell continued teaching for a few years before resuming her education; she earned a master's degree from Columbia University in New York City, and received her Ph.D from Yale University in 1926. In doing, so she was the first African-American woman to receive a Yale degree. In 1950, Smith College awarded Cromwell an honorary doctorate.
Cromwell went on to become a professor at Miner Teachers College, later becoming head of the literature department. She taught there until her retirement in 1944. Cromwell edited Readings from Negro Authors, an early anthology of African American literary contributions. She published a biography of Lucretia Mott in 1958, titled Lucretia Mott.
A private high school in Washington, D.C., Cromwell Academy, was named in honor of Otelia and her brother John by its founder, Ruby Woodson. Founded in 1972 to provide college preparatory education to high potential students of all social and economic backgrounds, the academy opened its doors in the educational annex of Peoples Congregational Church. The school closed its doors in 1985.
Otelia Cromwell was the aunt of sociologist and historian Adelaide M. Cromwell, who was the first African-American instructor at Smith College.