When the world told Elizabeth Evelyn Wright she couldn’t, she built a school anyway.
Her unyielding spirit, resilience in the face of racism, and deep belief in education paved the way for what is now Voorhees University, a historically Black institution that continues to empower students today.
Born in 1872 in Georgia, Wright grew up at a time when education for Black Americans was deliberately restricted.
Inspired by Booker T. Washington’s work at Tuskegee Institute, she attended the school herself and dreamed of establishing an institution where Black students could gain the skills and knowledge to build better futures.
After graduating, Wright set out on a mission: to build a school where none existed. She went door to door, raising money, facing rejection after rejection.
Many saw her dream as impossible. But Wright refused to take “no” for an answer.
Overcoming Racism and Arson to Build a Future
Wright’s determination was met with violent opposition. Every time she built a school, it was burned down by those who wanted to keep Black communities from progressing. Racists tried to silence her, but she refused to be stopped.
Undeterred, she kept rebuilding. In 1897, with the help of donors and the Black community, she founded Voorhees Industrial School in Denmark, South Carolina.
The school was named after Elizabeth Voorhees, a philanthropist who supported Wright’s vision.
Her Legacy Lives On
Today, Voorhees University continues to thrive as a historically Black university, carrying on Wright’s mission of providing education and opportunity to Black students.
Her story is one of perseverance, courage, and faith in the transformative power of education.
Her legacy is a reminder that when doors close, you don’t stop—you build your own.
