Mary Doakes (May 22, 1936 – May 1, 2019) was an African-American school teacher who became the first black administrator of a school in Jefferson County, West Virginia.
Mary Doakes | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mary Taylor May 22, 1936 |
| Died | May 1, 2019 (aged 82) Ranson, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Other names | Mary T. Doakes, Mary Taylor Doakes |
| Occupation(s) | Teacher, education administrator |
| Years active | 1963–1989 |
| Known for | first African-American school administrator in Jefferson County, West Virginia |
Early life
editMary Taylor was born on May 22, 1936, in Jefferson County, West Virginia, to Harriet Elizabeth (née Dotson) and Beverly D. Taylor.[1][2] She grew up as the only daughter in the family with five boys[3] and attended the historic Page-Jackson High School, the first publicly funded black school in the county.[4][5] After her graduation, Taylor enrolled in a teaching program at Storer College. The college closed its doors in 1955, and Taylor transferred her credits to[3] Shepherd College, graduating cum laude with her bachelor's degree in 1957. She enrolled in classes at Michigan State University in East Lansing to further her education and transferred to West Virginia University completing her master's degree in Elementary Administration in 1963.[6][7]
Career
editAfter completing her education, Taylor began working at the Eagle Avenue Elementary School.[7] Soon thereafter, she married Arthur C. Doakes. The couple had three children: Stefanie and Stefan, and Arthur Jr.[8] After several years, she transferred to her alma mater Page-Jackson High School. In 1971, Doakes was promoted to assistant principal at Charles Town Junior High School.[7]
On 25 February 1974, Doakes became the first black administrator in Jefferson County, when she was promoted as the principal of Charles Town Junior High School.[7] She served in the post until her retirement in 1989.[9] She was one of the people featured in a collection of photographs published by the Jefferson County Black History Preservation Society's volume, African Americans of Jefferson County.[2]
Death and legacy
editDoakes died on May 1, 2019, in Ranson, West Virginia, and a memorial service to her memory was held on May 11, 2019.[10]
References
edit- ^ The Spirit of Jefferson Farmers Advocate 1972, p. 3.
- ^ a b The Spirit of Jefferson Farmers Advocate 2010, p. 7.
- ^ a b Burke 2004, p. 392.
- ^ Jefferson County Black History Preservation Society Inc. 2012, p. 91.
- ^ Speight 2014.
- ^ Burke 2004, p. 393.
- ^ a b c d Parziale 1974, p. 18.
- ^ The Spirit of Jefferson Farmers Advocate 2005, p. 2.
- ^ The Spirit of Jefferson Farmers Advocate 1989, p. 15.
- ^ The Journal 2019.
Bibliography
edit- Burke, Dawne Raines (April 14, 2004). Storer College: A Hope for Redemption in the Shadow of Slavery, 1865—1955 (PDF) (PhD). Blacksburg, Virginia: Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. Docket 04252004-173337. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 December 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
- Jefferson County Black History Preservation Society Inc. (2012). African Americans of Jefferson County. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4396-2279-7.
- Parziale, Pam (February 28, 1974). "Mary Doakes: one of a kind". Hagerstown, Maryland: The Morning Herald. p. 18. Retrieved 5 February 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- Speight, Mercedez (December 1, 2014). Horn, Hailey (ed.). "Page Jackson High School". The Clio. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
- "Arthur C. Doakes II". Charles Town, West Virginia: The Spirit of Jefferson Farmers Advocate. March 31, 2005. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
- "Mary E. Doakes". The Journal. Martinsburg, West Virginia. May 7, 2019. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
- "Preserving African American history in Jefferson County". Charles Town, West Virginia: The Spirit of Jefferson Farmers Advocate. February 17, 2010. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
- "Rites Held Tuesday for Mrs. Beverly D. Taylor". Charles Town, West Virginia: The Spirit of Jefferson Farmers Advocate. April 13, 1972. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
- "School Retirees Are Recognized at Board Meeting". Charles Town, West Virginia: The Spirit of Jefferson Farmers Advocate. June 29, 1989. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
