Getting Involved with Local Schools in Calvert County: A Guide for African-Americans

Calvert County is renowned for its part in the War of 1812, particularly the Barney Flotilla and the battles of St. Leonard and St. Inge. But the transfer of activity to Patuxent and Calvert counties had a special significance for a flotilla sailor, and it provided a path to freedom for many enslaved people in the area. One of the oldest black schools in Calvert County is Wallville School, built in 1890.

It's now a one-room relic from the days of segregation, slowly deteriorating on the outskirts of Edith Gray's land near the Patuxent River. Few people know about this gray wooden hut, a silent reminder of the past. Harriet Elizabeth Brown was one of the first civil rights pioneers who fought for equal pay for African-American teachers in Maryland in the 1930s. She was represented by Thurgood Marshall, who filed a petition on her behalf in Calvert County Circuit Court on November 11, 1937. The goal was to get the Calvert County Board of Education to create an equal pay scale for teachers and administrators, regardless of race or school. Marshall's successful case allowed all teachers and school administrators in his county to access equal pay regardless of race. This was part of the NAACP's strategy for promoting economic and political growth in African-American communities by increasing access to quality education. Today, there are many ways African-Americans can become more involved with their local schools in Calvert County.

Volunteering at schools or participating in school events is one way to get involved. Joining local organizations that support education, such as the Calvert Retired Teachers Association or the Lore Oyster House on Solomon Island, is another way to contribute. Finally, people can visit places like the Calvert Marine Museum to learn more about black history. Getting involved with local schools is an important way for African-Americans to make a difference in their community. By volunteering or joining organizations that support education, African-Americans can help ensure that all students have access to quality education and resources.