1. MARY JANE PATTERSON Zachary Holmes and Jamaya Smith Intro Education Dr. Hightower-Davis

2. CHILDHOOD  Mary Jane Patterson was born in 1840 in Raleigh, North Carolina.  She celebrates her birthday as September 12, 1840  Mary Jane Patterson was the daughter of Henry Irving Patterson and Emmeline Eliza (Taylor) Patterson.  Mary Patterson was probably the oldest of at least seven siblings.

3. EDUCATION  In 1857 Mary Patterson entered a one-year preparatory course at Oberlin college.  After her preparatory year Patterson entered the four-year gentleman’s course in classics that led to a traditional Bachelor of Arts degree.  Patterson’s studies included Latin, Greek, and Mathematics.  Patterson also graduated with a B.A. degree and highest honors in 1862.

4.  Patterson is the first black American female to earn a bachelor’s degree.  In 1869 Patterson moved to Washington D.C., to teach at the newly-established one- year Preparatory High School for Colored Youth, which later became the prestigious Dunbar High School.  She served as the school's first Black principal, from 1871 to 1872  Patterson's speech was entitled "The Hero of Italy”. ACHIEVEMENTS

5.  she became an assistant to Fanny Jackson in the Female department of the Institute for colored youth in Philadelphia.  leading Black educator influenced generations of Black students. WORK EXPERIENCE  Patterson moved to Washington in 1869 to accept a teaching position at the Preparatory High School for Colored Youth (currently Dunbar High School).  She, along with other woman founded the Colored Women's League of Washington, D.C., in 1894.

6. CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION  Patterson devoted time and money to other black institutions in Washington D.C.  Patterson’s commitment to thoroughness as well as her personality helped her established the strong intellect of the school.  Patterson's most striking characteristics as a teacher was that she was a quick, alert, vivacious worker.

7. PICTURES  died on September 24, 1894, in Washington.

8. REFERENCES  http://www.oberlin.edu/external/EOG/OYTT- images/MJPatterson.html http://www.oberlin.edu/external/EOG/OYTT- images/MJPatterson.html  http://www.blackpast.org/?q=aah/patterson-mary-jane-1840- 1894 http://www.blackpast.org/?q=aah/patterson-mary-jane-1840- 1894