In the annals of Black History Month, some figures shine so brightly that their legacy transcends time. Emma Azalia Smith Hackley, musician, journalist, educator, and activist, is one such luminary.
Emma Azalia Smith Hackley was, by all measures, an extraordinary individual. She was born in 1867 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where her mother, a descendant of a freed slave, established a school for former slaves and their offspring. After the white community forced the closure of the school, the Smith family relocated to Detroit, Michigan.
In Detroit, Azalia Smith became the first Black student to enroll in her public school, where she nurtured her exceptional musical talent, taking violin, piano, and voice lessons and helping support her family by performing at high school dances.
Emma Smith spent eighteen years working as an elementary school teacher. During that time, she met and married Edwin Henry Hackley, an attorney from Denver and editor of the city’s black newspaper, the Denver Statesman.
In 1900, Hackley earned her music degree from Denver University. She studied voice in Paris with Jean de Reszke, a former star of the Metropolitan Opera, from 1905-1906.
Hackley was not only a performer but also a writer and journalist, actively involved in the civic and social affairs of the black community in Denver. She served as the editor of the women’s section of The Colorado Statesman, using her platform to address issues affecting Black women and the broader African American community. Through her writings, she championed education, civil rights, and cultural uplift, ensuring that the voices of marginalized individuals were heard and recognized.
Beyond her work in music and journalism, Hackley was deeply committed to social justice. As a co-founder of the Colored Women’s League, she fought against racial discrimination and worked to improve educational opportunities for Black Americans. She firmly believed in the power of the arts as a tool for empowerment and change, often using her music and public influence to advocate for racial equality.
Emma Azalia Smith Hackley’s life was a symphony of talent, resilience, and unwavering dedication to uplifting her community. As we celebrate her contributions, we honor a woman whose impact on music, education, and civil rights continues to resonate over a century later.
