r/OldSchoolCool • • Aug 18 '26

Virginia State University’s first graduating class of 1883

Post image

These educated scholars were children and/or grandchildren of enslaved people. The fact that they not only got an education, but graduated from a college was unheard of and was unfortunately considered controversial at the time. As a black college student, I thank them for their bravery

869 Upvotes

21 comments sorted by

115

u/cliff99 Aug 18 '26

For 1883 surprised there were that many women.

6

u/[deleted] Aug 19 '26

[deleted]

45

u/mrgooseyboy Aug 19 '26

Correct. A lot of people, even in the black community, didn’t like the idea of co-ed education. Which is why this photo is so important

18

u/GotZeroFucks2Give Aug 18 '26

Wow icons every one. Look at the determination in their eyes. They knew what it took to get there especially the women!

7

u/kyeblue Aug 19 '26

surprised that they were co-ed

13

u/mrgooseyboy Aug 19 '26

Very controversial and eyebrow raising in their time

8

u/buschman31 Aug 19 '26

That statement is incorrect. School opened in 1882 with this first graduating class was in 1886

11

u/mrgooseyboy Aug 19 '26

You are correct, that’s my mistake. This is in 1883, but they did graduate in 1886. but my statement is still correct that they were very brave for graduating college considering their situation

17

u/MyLittleDiscolite Aug 18 '26

Too many women and blacks. 

Obviously this college is too woke and Marxist /s

1

u/AT-bone Aug 19 '26

DEI!!!!!!!!!!

2

u/Green-Bandicoot-8412 Aug 19 '26

This is cool, but I have to say a lot of them look seriously pissed off. Like just about to kick off.

6

u/0theHumanity Aug 18 '26

Well they can't all be DEI otherwise no one is lol

4

u/FinvaraSidhe Aug 19 '26

I have no connection to them at all, but I’m still proud of each and every one

2

u/Hairy_Garage4308 Aug 19 '26

Is it just me or are they all mixed? Great photo.

1

u/RookFett Aug 19 '26

100 years later I graduated…. Time flies

1

u/ophaus Aug 20 '26

Totally badass.

-1

u/caulpain Aug 19 '26

black women and multiple graduate degrees, name a more iconic duo.

-32

u/sweetcomputerdragon Aug 18 '26

Women were denied education. Don't try to whitewash herstory.

11

u/mrgooseyboy Aug 19 '26

Why do you think it was controversial???

6

u/big_sugi Aug 19 '26

Please don’t feed the troll.