North End in Tacoma in Pierce County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Nettie Asberry

1865 - 1968

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 25, 2016

1. Nettie Asberry Marker

Inscription. In 1883 Nettie Asberry earned her doctorate degree in music. She helped establish the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Tacoma in the early 1900's.

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

Location. 47° 16.492′ N, 122° 27.908′ W. Marker is in Tacoma, Washington, in Pierce County. It is in North End. Marker is at the intersection of North 30th Street and McCarver Street, on the right when traveling east on North 30th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2121 North 30th Street, Tacoma WA 98403, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Margaret Meeker Davis (a few steps from this marker); Janet Elder Steele (within shouting distance of this marker); Fannie C. Paddock (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alice Maude Smith, M.D. (about 400 feet away); First House in Tacoma (about 500 feet away); Jennie Jones (about 500 feet away); Emma Smith Devoe (about 500 feet away); Ester Allstrum (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tacoma.

Also see . . .
1. Asberry, Nettie Craig (1865-1968) (HistoryLink.org). ...Nettie Asberry was born
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in Leavenworth, Kansas, on July 15, 1865, the only free child of Violet Craig's six children. Her father was William Wallingford, the owner of a plantation on which Violet was a slave. She began studying piano when she was eight years old and later on began composing her own music. A precocious 13 year old, she became interested in women's suffrage after listening to Susan B Anthony in Leavenworth and became secretary for a Susan B. Anthony Club. (Susan B. Anthony's brother Daniel R. Anthony was editor of the Leavenworth Times and an anti-slavery activist.)... (Submitted on November 2, 2016.)

2. African American Women (Washington State Historical Society). ...A stalwart club member, Nettie Asberry cultivated change through theTacoma Cloverleaf Club and as a charter member of the Washington Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs. In 1913, when the Washington Legislature attempted to outlaw interracial marriage, Nettie Asberry led protests to kill the bill. It died in committee. As founder of the Tacoma NAACP, Asberry fought racial segregation in public places and at Fort Lewis—at a time when it was dangerous to do so. Thought to be one of the first African American women to earn a doctorate degree (in music), she taught piano to Tacoma’s children for nearly a half century. (Submitted on November 2, 2016.)

Nettie Asberry Marker - Wide View image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 25, 2016

2. Nettie Asberry Marker - Wide View

The marker is mounted in the sidewalk, visible here in the foreground.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2016, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 570 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2016, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.