Lansing in Ingham County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Fannie Richards

1840-1922

Photographed By Bill Rieske, June 1, 2017

1. Fannie Richards Marker

Inscription.

Fannie Richards helped initiate the fight for educational equality that led to a landmark 1869 Michigan Supreme Court decision abolishing segregation in the Detroit public schools. She began her 50-year teaching career as a Detroit teacher in 1865. In 1872, Richards taught the city’s first kindergarten class at the newly integrated Everett Elementary School.

Along with other women from Detroit’s Second Baptist Church, Richards established the Phillis Wheatley Home for Colored Ladies to shelter the elderly poor. She was also active in the Detroit Study Club and served as president of the Michigan Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs.

Erected 2007.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Women.

Location. 42° 44.042′ N, 84° 33.145′ W. Marker is in Lansing, Michigan, in Ingham County. Marker can be reached from North Washington Square, on the right when traveling south. The marker is embedded in the sidewalk in front of 111 North Washington Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 North Washington Square, Lansing MI 48933, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Herbert Henry Dow (a few steps from this marker); Joe Louis Barrow

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Town of Michigan /Lansing (about 300 feet away); Lansing Labor Holiday (about 300 feet away); Stevie Wonder (about 400 feet away); Helen Thomas B. 1920 (about 400 feet away); Michigan State Capitol (about 400 feet away); Michigan State Capitol / Michigan's Three Capitols (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lansing.

Also see . . . Fannie Richards, from the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. (Submitted on June 15, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan.)

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, January 23, 2023

2. Fannie Richards Marker

The Fannie Richards marker is embedded in the concrete just prior to the orange cone.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. This page has been viewed 316 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 1, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. 2. submitted on January 29, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.