Holly Springs in Marshall County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Ida B. Wells-Barnett
(1862-1931)
— Famed African-American journalist, educator, suffragette, and human rights activist. —
Photographed By Jerry Klinger
1. Ida B. Wells-Barnett Marker
Born the eldest child to Elizabeth and James Wells, she grew up in Holly Springs, and attended Shaw University, now Rust College. She was a reformer who insisted on economic and political resistance to oppression. She became head of a household at age 16 and taught at rural schools. After leaving Holly Springs and moving to Memphis, Wells went on to challenge racial discrimination on railroad ladies' cars, at the age of 20. She then went on to become part owner of The Memphis Free Speech and Headlight newspaper and, through her journalism, spearheaded the anti-lynching movement, after several friends were unjustly murdered by a white mob in Memphis, Tennessee. Wells later co-founded the NAACP, and was active in the National Association of Colored Women. Wells was honored with a U.S. postage stamp, inducted into the Mississippi Hall of Fame, and a local post office named in her honor.
Erected 2019 by Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum, Holly Springs.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hill Country Blues (within shouting distance of this marker); Osborne Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Control Of The River (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Van Dorn Raid (about 300 feet away); Holly Springs (about 300 feet away); General Order #11 (about 300 feet away); Mississippi Central R.R. Campaign (about 300 feet away); Van Dorn Captures Holly Springs (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Holly Springs.
Also see . . .
1. Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum. Museum website homepage (Submitted on July 14, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)
2. Ida B. Wells-Barnett. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 14, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)
3. Ida B. Wells. Women's Suffrage Celebration Coalition Massachusetts website entry (Submitted on July 14, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)
4. The Way to Right Wrongs: Celebrating the Legacy of Ida B. Wells. New York Public Library
Photographed By Jerry Klinger
2. Ida B. Wells-Barnett Marker
5. Ida B. Wells, A Passion for Justice. Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum website video . (Submitted on July 14, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 9, 2015
3. Ida B. Wells-Barnett
This c. 1893 photo from a carte de visite by Mary Garrity belongs to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,010 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on July 15, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
