“She was very much ahead of her time… this is a formerly enslaved Black woman who was speaking with an unfettered, unrestrained radicalism.” These powerful words were spoken by Professor Martha S. Jones in reference to the remarkable life and legacy of Anna Julia Cooper, an influential African American educator, author, and activist.

Born into slavery in 1858 in Raleigh, North Carolina, Cooper’s life began in the midst of one of the darkest periods in American history. But despite the odds stacked against her, Cooper rose above her circumstances and became a trailblazer for racial and gender equality. Her unyielding determination and unwavering courage made her a true visionary of her time, and her message continues to resonate with us today.

Cooper’s early education was a mix of informal teaching from her mother, who was a slave, and sporadic opportunities to attend school. It wasn’t until the age of 9 when she was freed from slavery that she was able to attend a formal school. She excelled academically and went on to become the fourth African American woman to earn a doctoral degree, receiving her PhD from the Sorbonne in Paris in 1925.

As an educator, Cooper was a firm believer in the power of education to uplift and empower individuals. She spent over 40 years teaching at various institutions, including the M Street School (later renamed Dunbar High School) in Washington D.C., where she played a pivotal role in shaping the minds of young African Americans. Her teaching style was revolutionary, and she emphasized the importance of critical thinking and self-empowerment. She was also an advocate for co-education and believed that both men and women should have equal access to education.

Cooper was not content with just teaching in the classroom; she saw education as a means for social change. She argued that African American women should have a prominent role in shaping their communities and fighting for their rights. In her book, “A Voice from the South,” she wrote, “Only the BLACK WOMAN can say ‘when and where I enter, in the quiet, undisputed dignity of my womanhood, without violence and without suing or special patronage, then and there the whole Negro race enters with me.” This powerful statement challenged the societal norms of her time and laid the foundation for the intersectional feminism we see today.

But Cooper’s radicalism didn’t stop there. She was also a fierce civil rights activist, fighting for the rights of African Americans and women. She was a founding member of the Colored Women’s League of Washington D.C., which later merged with the National Association of Colored Women. She was also a prominent figure in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and her voice was instrumental in advocating for the rights of African Americans, especially women.

Cooper’s activism was not limited to her own race; she was also a vocal supporter of women’s suffrage and worked closely with prominent suffragettes like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. She believed that the fight for women’s rights was intertwined with the fight for African American rights, and that women of color should not be left behind in the fight for equality.

Cooper’s contributions to the civil rights and feminist movements were groundbreaking, and her message of intersectionality and inclusivity is more relevant now than ever before. She was truly ahead of her time, speaking out against injustice and discrimination with a radicalism that was unfettered and unrestrained. Her legacy continues to inspire and empower marginalized communities to this day.

In 2022, the United States will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. As we celebrate this milestone, it is important to remember the women who paved the way for this achievement, and Anna Julia Cooper is undoubtedly one of them. Her remarkable life and legacy serve as a reminder that progress and change are possible, even in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, Anna Julia Cooper was a visionary, a pioneer, and a revolutionary. Her life and achievements are a testament to the power of education, activism, and resilience. She was a woman ahead of her time, and her legacy continues to inspire generations to come. Let us honor her memory by carrying on her legacy of fighting for equality and justice for all.