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Jessie Scott Hathcock

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Jessie Hathcock graduation photo, University of Dayton, 1930

Jessie Scott Hathcock (April 24, 1894 – January 30, 1986) was an American humanitarian, educator, and civil rights leader active in Dayton, Ohio. In 1930, she became the first African-American woman to graduate from the University of Dayton.

Early life and education

Hathcock was born in Worthington, Ohio. Hathcock’s commitment to education stemmed from her father, the eldest of nine who put all eight of his younger siblings through college.[1] Hathcock started her higher education at Otterbein University before moving to Dayton with her husband.[2] In 1930, she completed her Bachelor's degree in Education and became the first African-American woman to graduate from the University of Dayton.[3] This was no simple accomplishment. In October of 2020, President Eric F. Spina issued a statement regarding the evidence of systemic racism at the University of Dayton. In May 1930, author and civil rights leader W.E.B. DuBois wrote to the president, Brother Joseph Muench, S.M., inquiring of the number of African-American students at the university for an upcoming article in The Crisis. In his response, Muench notes that the only African-American student at the time was Jessie S. Hathcock who had recently graduated with a “satisfactory” record.[4] According to Muench, while African-American students were admitted to the university, they were barred from day classes. This restriction was due to the fact that, Muench writes, many students were from southern states. The only exceptions to the policy were law school classes and night classes, as they were composed of mostly Dayton natives.[5]

After graduating from the University of Dayton, Hathcock received her Master’s degree in Guidance in 1932 from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.[6] She went on to pursue a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University before dropping out to travel the world.[7] On April 30, 1978, Hathcock received an Doctorate of Humanities as an honorary degree from the University of Dayton, making her the first African-American woman to do so.[8]

Career and community

Hathcock worked as both English teacher and Dean of Girls at Dunbar High School in Dayton, Ohio. She retired in 1964, before briefly working as an English professor at Sinclair Community College in 1966. She was very involved with her students, whom she referred to as her “proteges”.[9] While at Dunbar, Hathcock organized the Dunbar Parent-Teacher Association, Student Council, Junior Council on World Affairs, Personality Club, and Junior Red Cross.[10] She encouraged her students to pursue higher education, even helping to pay for college applications and writing to colleges on their behalf.[11] Before her retirement from Dunbar, she used money raised from travelogues she delivered about her travels abroad to set up a scholarship for students.

Outside of Dunbar, Hathcock was heavily involved in the Dayton community. After visiting India and being appalled by begging and starving children, her founding of the Dayton and Miami Valley Committee for UNICEF and position of chairman in 1966 earned her the nickname, “Mrs. Unicef”.[12] She also held positions on the Dayton Council of World Affairs, Volunteers of America, City Beautiful Council, Wegerzyn Garden Center Board, YWCA, Women’s Board of Children’s Medical Center, and the American Association of University Women. Hathcock was also a charter member of the Beta Eta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, serving as its first president in 1934.[13] Hathcock was a member of the Bridgettes, a group of socialites and civic service activists who met bi-weekly to play bridge and hosted a number of events around the Dayton community.[14]

Hathcock’s community service activities also spanned into the legal field. She and the NAACP helped Andrew Freeman, a man accused of killing a police officer and sentenced to death, prove he was given an unfair trial, eventually securing a new trial and being cleared.[15]

Honors and awards

Jessie Hathcock received many awards for her academic and humanitarian achievements. Hathcock received the Outstanding Women's Award from the Beta Chi chapter of Iota Phi Lambda in 1963, and in 1967, she was named one of the Top Ten Women in Dayton as well as recipient of the City Beautiful award for her refurbishing of an abandoned home.[16]

In 2004, the University of Dayton started the Jessie V. Scott Hathcock Memorial scholarship for female, African American students majoring in education or English, with a preference for residents from the City of Dayton. The University of Dayton also named its computer science building, Jessie S. Hathcock Hall, after her in January of 2021.[17]

Personal life

As an outspoken member of the Dayton community, Hathcock used her influence to invite well-known speakers, scholars, and activists to speak in Dayton. These guests include Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson, and W.E.B. DuBois.[18]

During World War II, she fought against racial prejudice in the Air Force. Her son, Lloyd Hathcock, was able to become a Tuskegee Airman as a result of her campaign. Hathcock spent 11 months as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft III and Stalag XIII-D in Sagan, Germany.[19]

She died January 30, 1986 and is buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Worthington, Ohio. Jessie Hathcock’s family continues to be involved in the Dayton community.

References

  1. ^ Powell, Lisa (February 11, 2021). "Once Rejected Due to Race, Jessie Hathcock Became the First Female African American Graduate of the University of Dayton".
  2. ^ Schulz, Kristina. "Jessie Hathcock". Women's Center. University of Dayton. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Computer science building to honor Jessie S. Hathcock, first African American woman UD graduate". Catholic Telegraph. February 8, 2021. Retrieved 2021-02-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ Gauder, Heidi; Waldron, Caroline. "'The Considerable Number of Students': A Response to W.E.B. Du Bois". University Libraries. University of Dayton. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  5. ^ Spina, Eric F.; Fitz, Father James. "Message to Campus about DuBois Letter". University of Dayton. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  6. ^ Powell, Lisa (February 11, 2021). "Once Rejected Due to Race, Jessie Hathcock Became the First Female African American Graduate of the University of Dayton".
  7. ^ Morrow, Pat (20 January 1967). "Retired Teacher Refurbishes Houses and People". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  8. ^ Schulz, Kristina. "Jessie Hathcock". Women's Center. University of Dayton. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  9. ^ Powell, Lisa (February 11, 2021). "Once Rejected Due to Race, Jessie Hathcock Became the First Female African American Graduate of the University of Dayton".
  10. ^ Schulz, Kristina. "Jessie Hathcock". Women's Center. University of Dayton. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  11. ^ Powell, Lisa (February 11, 2021). "Once Rejected Due to Race, Jessie Hathcock Became the First Female African American Graduate of the University of Dayton".
  12. ^ Morrow, Pat (20 January 1967). "Retired Teacher Refurbishes Houses and People". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  13. ^ Schulz, Kristina. "Jessie Hathcock". Women's Center. University of Dayton. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  14. ^ "Bridgettes Sponsor Art and Music Students". The Dayton Forum. 14 July 1939. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  15. ^ Morrow, Pat (20 January 1967). "Retired Teacher Refurbishes Houses and People". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  16. ^ Morrow, Pat (20 January 1967). "Retired Teacher Refurbishes Houses and People". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  17. ^ "UD Names Computer Science Building to Honor First African American Woman Graduate". University of Dayton. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  18. ^ Kappell, Jean (5 August 1973). "She Fights for Human Rights". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  19. ^ Haney, Angelle (9 February 2016). "Airman Survived 11 Months as POW". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 22 February 2021.

Category:1895 births Category:1986 deaths Category:University of Dayton alumni

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