Selma Hortense Burke

Art
Educator
AME
Nursing
Cite
References
:

Brief

     Burke (1900-1955) was a sculptor, educator, art school founder, and fixture in the Harlem Renaissance. Her bas relief image of President Franklin Roosevelt  is permanently displayed at the Recorder of Deeds Building in Washington, D.C. and is the disputed inspiration for the American dime.

‍

Collections & Letters

1.  Spelman College Museum of Fine Art, The Selma Burke Bequest

The collection includes personal papers and a significant collection of artworks—including twelve bronze, marble, and wooden sculptures and plaster studies for her design of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s portrait.

2. Temple University Libraries, Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection, John W. Mosley Photograph Collection

Image is of Selma Burke and Humbert Howard (third from left), and others observing a Burke sculpture at the Pyramid Club.

‍

‍

‍

Suggest An Edit >
Attributions
Attributions
Attributions
Birth
December 31, 1900, Mooresville, North Carolina
Death
August 29, 1995 (age 94), Newtown, Pennsylvania
Resting Place
Country
Language(s)
Spouse(s)

Durant Woodward (m. 1928)

Herman Kobbe (m. 1949)

Partner(s)
Claude McKay
Relatives
Associate(s)
Alma Mater
Influenced
Influenced By
Colleague(s)
Collaborator(s)
Children
Awards & Honors
Parents
Occupation
Sculptor, Educator, School Founder
Certification(s)
License(s)
Education
Columbia University (M.A. Fine Arts, 1941), Slater Industrial and State Normal School (now Winston-Salem State University), Sarah Lawrence College
Organization(s)
Appointment(s)
Notable Performances
Notable Works
Notable Moments
Military Rank
Years of Service
Political Affiliation
Associations
Genre(s)
Preceptors
Legacy
Thesis
Books
Website
*some sources say April 6, 1845

Related Black Women

Dec 31
Art
Educator
AME
Nursing
Selma Hortense Burke
Burke (1900-1955) was a sculptor, educator, art school founder, and fixture in the Harlem Renaissance. Her bas relief image of President Franklin Roosevelt is permanently displayed at the Recorder of Deeds Building in Washington, D.C. and is the disputed inspiration for the American dime.
Dec 5
Military
AME
Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley
In 1942, Earley (1918-2002) became the first Black woman to be commissioned as an officer in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). After initially serving as a staff training officer, station control officer, and company commander at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, she was promoted to major in September 1943, coinciding with the transition from WAAC to WAC (Women's Auxillary Corps). In 1945, During World War II she commanded the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (The Six Triple 8) and led the only all-Black, all-female battalion to serve overseas. The 6888th was responsible for sorting and delivering mail to nearly seven million soldiers in the European Theater of Operations. She ultimately achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel, the highest rank available to women in the WAC at that time.
Nov 30
Government
Educator
Shirley Chisholm
First Black Woman elected to Congress.

Stay Inspired Daily!

Sign up to receive daily notifications celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black women throughout history.

Sign Up
Sign Up