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Historical Marker Honors Mississippi Educator Sarah Dickey


Historical marker of Sarah Dickey on the grounds of Sumner Hill Junior High in Clinton

Sarah Dickey’s remarkable role as an educational pioneer to African-American students more than a century ago was celebrated at a Clinton school.

Activities at Sumner Hill Junior High on April 29 included a dramatic reading focusing on Dickey’s extraordinary work. The program featured the dedication of an historical marker crafted by legendary Mississippi sculptor Sam Gore of Clinton.

Considered an education trailblazer in the Hinds County community, Dickey taught black students in the late 1800s. The Ohio native initially arrived in Mississippi as a teacher during the Civil War. Following the war, Sarah completed her education at Mount Holyoke College. Dickey returned to the Magnolia State to dedicate the rest of her life to teaching young African-American women.

A decade after the Civil War’s conclusion, Dickey founded the Mt. Herman Female Seminary in the Central Mississippi community in 1875. She worked faithfully on behalf of disadvantaged people in the Clinton area until her death in 1904. In recognition of her deep commitment to the community, “Dickeyville” is the section of Clinton north of the railroad named for the white educator.

Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher, former Mayor Walter Howell, a longtime historian, Dr. Gore, former chairman of the MC Art Department, and several of Dickey’s family members attended the ceremonies.

“The entire area of Clinton owes so much to her commitments, accomplishments and continuing legacy of education for all,” said Sumner Hill Junior High Principal John Wallace.

Wallace saluted Dickey for being instrumental in establishing the school for young black females after the Civil War at “a time when many would not give this a second thought.”

With help coming from Clinton educational and political leaders like Walter Hillman, a former Mississippi College president, and the late Senator Charles Caldwell, Dickey enabled her students to “better themselves, their families and their futures,” Wallace said. An African-American, Caldwell served as a key Republican leader and state senator until his murder on the streets of Clinton in 1875.

Hillman helped heal divisions between blacks and whites in Clinton following Caldwell’s tragic shooting death. A minister, Hillman also served as president of the Central Female Institute that later began Hillman College and merged with Mississippi College in the 1940s.