Garnet, Sarah (1831–1911)

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Garnet, Sarah (1831–1911)

American schoolteacher and civil-rights activist. Name variations: Sarah J. Smith Thompson Garnet. Born July 31, 1831, in Queens Co., NY; died Sept 17, 1911, in Brooklyn, NY; dau. of Sylvanus Smith (farmer) and Annie (Springstead) Smith; sister of Susan Maria McKinney Steward (physician); m. Rev. James Thompson (died late 1860s); Rev. Henry Highland Garnet, c. 1879 (died 1882); children: (1st m.) 2.

The 1st black woman to hold rank of principal in the New York public-school system, served as principal of grammar school (now PS 80, 1863–1900); founded and led Equal Suffrage Club, small organization of black women based in Brooklyn, NY; served as delegate to 1st Universal Races Congress (London, 1911).

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