Delany Sisters Reach High

de Amy Hill Hearth

Sarah Louise Delany was born September 19, 1889; she was a calm, gentle child her family called “Sweet Sadie.” Her little sister, Annie Elizabeth, was born two years later, on September 3, 1891. Bessie was Just the opposite of Sadie. She was so bossy that she was called “Queen Bess.” The sisters had eight brothers and sisters. They grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, on the campus of Saint Augstine’s College. Their mother was a teacher, and their father was a minister and vice-principal of the school. This is the story of the childhood of these two fascinating women who grew up in a time of change when life was often not easy for African Americans. Both their parents encouraged their children to “reach high”: to work hard in school and to aim for the stars. And reach high they did. Sadie became the first Black person to teach domestic science on the high school level in New York City, and Bessie earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and was the second Black woman licensed to practice dentistry in the city of New York. Children and adults alike will enjoy this story that gives us a look at our history and provides inspiration to all those who read it.