RARE "Booker T Washington" Portia Washington Pittman Signed Memorial Cover COA For Sale

Up for sale a VERYRARE! "Booker T Washington" Portia Washington Pittman Signed Memorial Cover Dated 1948.This item iscertified authentic by JG Autographs and comes with their Certificate ofAuthenticity.

ES-6490
Portia Marshall Washington Pittman(1883–1978)was the daughter ofBooker T. Washington. Shewas the first African American to graduate from theBradford Academyin Bradford, Massachusetts. Pittman, néeWashington, was born on June 6, 1883in Tuskegee, Alabama.She was the daughter of Booker T.and Fanny Washington. Her mother died when she was a young child, and her earlyeducation was away from home, mostly in New England, including atFramingham Normal School.Her secondary education included attendance at Tuskegee Institute, WellesleyCollege and Bradford Academy where she graduated in 1905, the first AfricanAmerican to do so. In 1908, shemarriedWilliam Sidney Pittman(1875–1958)with whom she had three children. The couple moved to Washington, D.C. whereWilliam established an architectural practice. After falling on financiallyhard times, Portia began teaching piano. In 1913, the family moved to Dallas,Texas where William served as president of the Brotherhood of Negro BuildingMechanics of Texas and Portia Taught music atBooker T. Washington High School.At this time, Portiawas the chairman of the education department of the Texas Association of NegroMusicians. In 1928, Portia left William, taking herdaughter Fanny, and returned to Tuskegee where she supported herself by teachingpiano, music, and choir at Tuskegee. She left the faculty of Tuskegee in 1939because she lacked the required credentials to continue there. She returned toteaching piano privately, retiring in 1944.Portiaspent her later years preserving the memory of her late fatherand helpedadvocate for the preservation and monument status of her father's home. Shedied on February 26, 1978 in Washington, D.C. All of her children and herestranged husband predeceased her. Tuskegee Institute has a fellowship named inher honor.

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