FOX, BEATRICE WRIGHT (16 Mar. 1903-l Aug. 1988), educator and the first African-American administrator in the MOUNT PLEASANT area, and an advisor/director with the PHILLIS WHEATLEY ASSOCIATION.
Born in Cleveland to Walter and Sarah (Johnson) Wright, Beatrice attended Cleveland public schools and completed teacher training at the Cleveland Normal School (1922). She received her B.S. from Cleveland College (1949) and her M.A. in Education from Western Reserve University (1958).
Precluded by law from teaching, Wright became a group leader at the Kingsley Arter Branch of the Phillis Wheatley Association. During her ll years at Wheatley she became Director of the Kingsley Arter Center and Camp Mueller. She also served as advisor of the Association's Junior Board.
In 1945 Beatrice returned to teaching. She taught at Mayflower, Orchard and Doan schools and later became an assistant principal. In 1961 she became principal of Andrew J. Rickoff School - the first Black administrator in Mount Pleasant. She retired in 1973.
Beatrice was active in MT. ZION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. She served as a Church School teacher, Church School superintendent, president of Women's Fellowship, and was church clerk from 1978 until her death. Beatrice also founded the Mt. Zion Congregational Ceramics Class which included church and non-church members and generates sales to provide funds for the church.
Beatrice married Morris W. Fox on 30 June 1931 (dec. 1981). They had no children. She is buried in LAKE VIEW CEMETERY.
Last Modified: 16 Jul 1997 02:54:03 PM- Related Article(s)