Durham Names New School After Two Civil Rights Icons

Source: News & Observer

Murray-Massenburg Elementary School will be the name of the new school in southern Durham. The new school that is scheduled to open in the fall of 2023 is named after human rights activist the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray and the first African-American Durham City School Principal Betty Doretha Massenburg.

Murray is the first Black person to earn a degree from Yale University. Murray is known for her work on the desegregation of schools through her legal arguments and interpretations of the U.S. Constitution. Murray also worked on LGBTQ and women’s rights. She was a legal scholar, author, feminist, poet, Episcopal priest, labor organizer, and multiracial Black and LGBTQ community member.

Massenburg was the first Black principal in Durham City Schools leading the way at Holloway Street Elementary in 1975. Massenburg established her career in the classroom in Durham City and held a position as dean of girls and assistant principal at Rogers-Herr Middle School. 

Read more from the News & Observer

Share:

More Posts

 Nueva ley en Carolina del Norte amplía la cooperación con ICE y despierta denuncias de abuso de poder

Una nueva ley en Carolina del Norte ha encendido alarmas entre defensores de derechos civiles y comunidades inmigrantes. El Proyecto de Ley de la Cámara 318, también conocida como la “Ley de Ejecución Criminal de Inmigrantes Ilegales”, entró en vigor esta semana y obliga a los alguaciles del estado a colaborar más estrechamente con el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE).

Former NCGOP Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse tapped to run state election boards

At the first meeting of the North Carolina Board of Elections following Woodhouse’s hiring, board members clashed over concerns about his involvement with the state’s elections. Woodhouse has frequently voiced support for voter suppression measures, from railing against Sunday voting to requesting that election officials reduce polling hours and locations.