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Also naming the 5200 through the 5300 blocks of Vine Street as "Crystal Bird Fauset Way" in recognition of her many accomplishments and for tireless leadership in advancing the rights of black people everywhere.
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WHEREAS, Crystal Bird Fauset was born on June 11, 1893 in Princess Anne, Maryland as the second youngest of nine children to Portia and Benjamin Oliver Bird, the founders of Princess Anne Academy, which is known as today as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore; and
WHEREAS, In 1899, after the death of her mother, Ms. Bird Fauset relocated to Boston, Massachusetts to live with her aunt, Lucy Groves. There she attended integrated public schools, and in 1914, she graduated from Boston Normal School. In 1931, she received her B.S. from Teacher's College at Columbia University; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Bird Fauset was a New York Public School teacher from 1914-1918. From 1918-1927 she went on to serve as a field secretary for the National Board of the Young Women's Christian Association (TWCA), where she became more involved in activism concerning the black community and the advancement of African American rights; and
WHEREAS, In 1927, as an active member of American Friends Service Committee, Ms. Bird Fauset made 210 public appearances to majority white audiences, where she aimed to increase understanding between white people and people of color; and
WHEREAS, In 1931, Ms. Bird Fauset married educator and civil rights activist Arthur Huff Fauset. They resided together at 5403 Vine Street in West Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, In 1938, Ms. Bird Fauset was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 18th District of Pennsylvania. She was the first African American woman to be elected as a state legislator. Even though her District was primarily white at the time, she overcame challenges and was able to win the victory. During her time in the State House she focused on issues dealing with public health, housing for those in...
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