Harleston Village in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Septima Clark Birthplace
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 3, 2019
1. Septima Clark Birthplace Marker (side 1)
(side 1)
Septima Poinsette Clark, who Martin Luther King Jr. called "the Mother of the Movement," was a nationally influential Civil Rights activist. She was born at 105 Wentworth St. on May 3, 1898 to Peter Poinsette, a former slave, and Victoria Anderson, who was of Haitian descent. Clark earned her teacher's certificate from Charleston's Avery Normal Institute and her master's from Hampton Institute. She taught for nearly 40 years.
(side 2)
In 1953, Clark visited the Highlander Folk School in TN, which was dedicated to training community organizers and pursuing equality for all. Here she developed the "citizenship school" model, which promoted literacy and political education. By 1965 Clark had helped to organize nearly 900 citizenship schools, including the first one on nearby Johns Island, and had helped to register more than 50,000 Black voters.
Erected 2018 by College of Charleston Teaching Fellows. (Marker Number 10-97.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education
this page online
Location. 32° 46.886′ N, 79° 56.178′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in Harleston Village. Marker is on Wentworth Street west of Glebe Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located near the sidewalk, directly in front of the house at this address, which currently serves as the College of Charleston Sigma Kappa Sorority house. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 Wentworth Street, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Affra Harleston Coming (within shouting distance of this marker); President's House (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the First Public Lending Library in the American Colonies (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fielding Home for Funerals (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pollitzer House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kornahrens-Guenveur House (approx. 0.2 miles away); College of Charleston (approx. 0.2 miles away); Riviera Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
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Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 3, 2019
2. Septima Clark Birthplace Marker (side 2)
Also see . . .
1. Septima Poinsette Clark, Civil Rights Activist (1898–1987). Her father — who had been born a slave — and mother both encouraged her to get an education. Clark attended public school, then worked to earn the money needed to attend the Avery Normal Institute, a private school for African Americans. Septima Poinsette Clark branched out into social action with the NAACP while working as a teacher. As part of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, she set up citizenship schools that helped many African Americans register to vote. (Submitted on May 10, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. CofC to Recognize Birthplace of Civil Rights Activist, Educator Septima Clark. Septima Poinsette Clark, a nationally known civil rights leader, education advocate and freedom fighter, was born at a location now embedded within the College of Charleston campus. This historical marker was unveiled on May 3, 2018, the 120th anniversary of Clark’s birthdate. (Submitted on May 10, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 3, 2019
3. Septima Clark Birthplace Marker
(wide view; marker on right)
(wide view; marker on right)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 3, 2019
4. Septima Clark Birthplace Marker (side 2; wide view)
Photo courtesy of the Rosa Parks Papers Collection, Library of Congress, 1955
5. Mrs. Septima Clark and Rosa Parks at Highlander Folk School, Monteagle, Tennessee
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 473 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 9, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5. submitted on May 10, 2019.
