Clara Brown Essay
Clara Brown: A Determined Philanthropist
Clara Brown was an African-American woman who was a born a slave in the early 1800s. Although she was separated from her family in her mid-30’s due to a slave auction, Brown’s kind-hearted nature drove her to serve as a well-respected community leader. She was the first African-American woman to venture to Colorado during the gold rush. Her economic gains were used to aid other former slaves.
Clara Brown was born in Spotsylvania, Virginia in 1803. At an extremely young age, she was sold in a slave auction to the Smith family. There she worked for many years before marrying another man who was also a slave, Richard, at the age of eighteen. Together, the two had four children of their own. As was the general practice of the time, children of slaves were born into slavery. They would begin working just like their parents as soon as they were old enough.
One day in 1835, however, Clara Brown’s family was tragically torn apart when her husband and children were all sold to different plantation …show more content…
As she busied herself in community work, Clara also began to look for her children again. By the time she was in her 70s, most of her funds had depleted due to her immense involvement in local charities, her financial aid to needy families, and her donations to funds aimed at educating young women. At this point in her life, she finally received news of one of her daughters, Eliza Jane. She heard that she was located in Iowa so the nearly 80-year-old Clara Brown, traveled to Iowa to finally reunite with her daughter. This joyous occasion in her life was followed by another key achievement. Clara was appointed as the first woman member of the Colorado Pioneer Association. Along with this, she was also granted a stipend for her life-long dedication to helping
Clara Brown was an African-American woman who was a born a slave in the early 1800s. Although she was separated from her family in her mid-30’s due to a slave auction, Brown’s kind-hearted nature drove her to serve as a well-respected community leader. She was the first African-American woman to venture to Colorado during the gold rush. Her economic gains were used to aid other former slaves.
Clara Brown was born in Spotsylvania, Virginia in 1803. At an extremely young age, she was sold in a slave auction to the Smith family. There she worked for many years before marrying another man who was also a slave, Richard, at the age of eighteen. Together, the two had four children of their own. As was the general practice of the time, children of slaves were born into slavery. They would begin working just like their parents as soon as they were old enough.
One day in 1835, however, Clara Brown’s family was tragically torn apart when her husband and children were all sold to different plantation …show more content…
As she busied herself in community work, Clara also began to look for her children again. By the time she was in her 70s, most of her funds had depleted due to her immense involvement in local charities, her financial aid to needy families, and her donations to funds aimed at educating young women. At this point in her life, she finally received news of one of her daughters, Eliza Jane. She heard that she was located in Iowa so the nearly 80-year-old Clara Brown, traveled to Iowa to finally reunite with her daughter. This joyous occasion in her life was followed by another key achievement. Clara was appointed as the first woman member of the Colorado Pioneer Association. Along with this, she was also granted a stipend for her life-long dedication to helping