Fairfax CASA Honors Black History Month
Honoring the Legacies of Black Leaders and Child Advocates
Reforming the child welfare system and social programs were Black pioneers committed to improving the lives of children and minorities across the United States. This month, Fairfax CASA proudly celebrates Black History Month by honoring the legacies of Black leaders whose pivotal efforts paved the way for brighter futures for children.
Janie Porter Barrett
Born August 9, 1865, in Athens, Georgia, Janie Porter Barrett was an innovator, educator, and social reformer dedicated to serving Black communities. She studied at the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in Hampton, Virginia. During her time there, she became actively involved in community projects and trained as an elementary school teacher.
After several years of teaching, she transitioned careers to pursue her passion for social work. In 1890, she founded the Locust Street Social Settlement in Hampton, Virginia. The organization supported local community members. It served as a hub for resources, education, and skill-building opportunities.
As her work expanded, Barrett began housing Black girls who had been labeled “delinquents.” Recognizing the need for support, she opened a rehabilitation home that provided a safe, loving, and nurturing environment. At a time when Black girls were often sent to jail or prison if no foster placement was available, she offered a hopeful solution rooted in dignity and compassion.
Her program became a national model for child welfare agencies across the United States. She led with a deep belief in fostering independence, prioritizing rewards over punishments, and creating meaningful opportunities for growth and learning.
Barret’s leadership and contributions shaped child welfare practices and created brighter futures for many young girls in Virginia.
Marian Wright Edelman
Marian Wright Edelman is a civil rights activist, lawyer, and lifelong advocate for underserved communities. Born June 6, 1939, Edelman dedicated her life to uplifting children’s voices and protecting their rights. She believed that standing up for children meant standing up for our future.
In 1963, Edelman earned her law degree from Yale University. She made history as the first African American woman to pass the bar exam in Mississippi. Edelman served as an attorney for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
She later founded the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to improving children’s health care access, strengthening protections against abuse and neglect, and expanding educational opportunities.
Believing that children are the cornerstone of our nation’s future, Edelman’s advocacy helped improve the foster care system, increase funding for child care programs, expand Head Start and nutrition programs for low-income children.
Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Chisholm, born November 30, 1924, was an American politician who made history as the first African American woman elected to Congress. Throughout her career, Chisholm fiercely advocated for women, children and marginalized communities.
She earned her master’s degree in early childhood education from Columbia University. Before serving in Congress, Chisholm worked as an education consultant for the New York City’s Division of Day Care. There, she led efforts to improve support programs for working families.
Committed to supporting underserved communities, Chisholm was a strong advocate for the establishment of the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Today the program serves over six million people monthly.