ROSENWALD SCHOOL Meaning and
Definition
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Rosenwald School:
A Rosenwald school refers to a type of educational institution established in the United States during the early 20th century. The term takes its name from Julius Rosenwald, a philanthropist and businessman who played a significant role in their creation. Rosenwald schools were primarily established in the Southern states and aimed at providing education to African American students, who were often denied access to quality schooling due to racial segregation.
These schools were typically small, one- to two-room buildings constructed with matching funds from the Julius Rosenwald Fund. The fund, created by Rosenwald himself and inspired by the ideas of Booker T. Washington, sought to contribute to the education of both African American and white students in the rural South. The construction of Rosenwald schools encouraged collaboration between the local African American community and the white community, as the funds were only granted upon the agreement that each community would contribute financially and laboriously to the project.
Rosenwald schools played a significant role in improving educational opportunities for African American students and served as a symbol of progress and advancement in the fight for equal education during a time of racial segregation. By the 1930s, over 5,000 Rosenwald schools were established across 15 Southern states. While many of these schools have been demolished or fallen into disrepair over the years, their impact on African American education and the larger civil rights movement cannot be understated.
Etymology of ROSENWALD SCHOOL
The word "Rosenwald school" is named after Julius Rosenwald, an American philanthropist and businessman who played a significant role in supporting the construction of schools for African American communities in the early 20th century. Starting in 1912, Rosenwald collaborated with Booker T. Washington, a prominent African American educator and leader, to establish a fund to provide financial assistance for the building of schools in rural areas where educational opportunities for African Americans were scarce. The partnership between Rosenwald and Washington led to the establishment of thousands of schools across the Southern United States, which became known as "Rosenwald schools" in honor of Rosenwald's contributions. The term "Rosenwald school" has its etymology rooted in the name of the philanthropist behind the initiative.
