"Our pupils need respect for themselves as well as for others. We believe that literature telling of the achievements of Negroes should consistently confront the child in the classroom."

These are the words of the strong, persuasive woman named Lucy Harth Smith. Smith served as the second woman president of the Kentucky Negro Education Association. One of her main goals as president of the KNEA was to place black history in the school curriculum. Her efforts were instrumental in the adoption of two textbooks on African American life and history in the Kentucky's public school system.

Smith moved to Lexington, Kentucky from Virginia in 1910. While in Lexington she served first as assistant principal then principal for a total of 37 years at Booker T. Washington Elementary School. She worked hard to help instill racial pride in her students during a time of segregated schools and public facilities. Smith had a flair for reaching her young pupils, one such way was encouraging girls to ask for black dolls for Christmas. Following the holiday break the school would hold a "doll beauty contest" in which only black dolls could enter. She insisted that the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" known as the Negro national anthem be sung before every event held at school. When the school building underwent renovations an architect designed the new entrance to be on the side of the building facing an alley. Smith argued at a Board of Education meeting that black children were already required to enter all buildings from the back or side. Hence, the architect's plans were changed and a proper front entrance facing the main street was installed.

In her private time, Smith's efforts were spent continuing to improve the lives of Kentucky's black children. She helped thousands of malnourished youth at a camp founded in 1942. This camp was known as the Colored Health Camp. She also help found the National Association of Colored Girls. This organization encouraged young girls to set high goals and equally high moral standards.

Lucy Harth Smith died while still serving as principal of Booker T. Washington Elementary School in 1955. But, her legacy continues to live on in her students and every generation that follows.

 Source:

Dunnigan, Alice, The Fascinating Story of Black Kentuckians: Their Heritage and Traditions, Washington, D.C.1976