BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Three African American Women Who Transformed Child Welfare

Many individuals have worked to improve the lives of vulnerable children throughout history. However, few have had the lasting impact of Janie Porter Barrett, Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry, and Carrie Steele. These three Black women dedicated their lives to protecting, educating, and nurturing children in need. Their work paved the way for reforms in juvenile justice, foster care, and orphanages. Their contributions transformed child welfare and continue to inspire children’s advocates today.

Janie Porter Barrett: A leader in juvenile justice reform

Janie Porter Barrett was born in Athens, Georgia, in 1865, at the end of the Civil War. Raised in a society still dealing with the aftermath of slavery, she experienced firsthand the challenges faced by Black children, particularly young girls. Barrett got an education at the Hampton Institute, which was one of the best institutions for African Americans at the time.

She graduated in 1885 and became a teacher. However, she soon realized that education alone wasn’t enough to help young girls facing poverty and legal problems. Barrett noticed that Black girls caught up in the juvenile justice system had no real support or opportunities for rehabilitation. This realization led her to establish the Virginia Industrial School for Colored Girls in 1915.

The school embodied nineteenth-century female values. Barrett emphasized that it was a home rather than a prison and instituted a carefully structured system of rewards instead of punishment. Her purpose was to build Christian character. She strictly regulated the behavior of the girls, required them to be clean, and taught them household and agricultural skills so that they could support themselves as domestic servants or farm workers until they established homes of their own. Though Barrett patterned the educational philosophy of the school in some ways on those of Hampton and Tuskegee Institute, she was an unusually gifted and sensitive superintendent who stamped her own personality on the school. She believed in trusting the pupils and ran the school on the honor system.

Barrett also introduced a parole system, allowing the girls to transition back into society under the mentorship of trusted community members. This innovative approach became a model for juvenile justice reform across the country.

Her work didn’t go unnoticed. Barrett became an advisor on juvenile justice policies and worked with both state and national leaders to improve conditions for African American youth in the legal system. These contributions helped switch the focus of juvenile justice from punishment to rehabilitation, a principle that is still central to juvenile justice policies today.

Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry: A champion for foster care and health equity

Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry was born in 1872. She was the granddaughter of Frederick Douglass, one of the most famous abolitionists in American history. However, she did not fight slavery. She was more concerned for the welfare of African American children in foster care.

This is because, during the early 20^th century, the foster care system largely excluded African American children. Many orphanages refused to take them in, and the few that did were typically underfunded and poorly managed. Seeing the need for change, Perry took action. In 1934, she opened the Colored Big Sister Home for Girls in Kansas City, Missouri. This home provided a safe place for African American girls who had been orphaned or abandoned, offering shelter, education, and emotional support. Per the Social Welfare Library, “The Colored Big Sisters Home existed until 1943 when states began to provide child welfare services that included African American children.”

Perry also went beyond foster care and became a strong advocate for health equity. She and her husband, Dr. John Edward Perry, worked to improve medical services for African American children. They helped establish hospitals and clinics dedicated to serving the Black community during a time when segregation and racism limited their access to healthcare.

Carrie Steele: Creating homes for abandoned children

Carrie Steele was an African American maid who worked at Atlanta’s Union Railroad Station in the late 1800s. While performing her job duties, she noticed something troubling – many children were being abandoned at the station by desperate parents who could no longer care for them.

Steele took action. She started by taking abandoned children into her own home, feeding and clothing them and making sure they had a place to sleep. But she realized she couldn’t do it alone and needed a more permanent solution. So, in 1888, Steele established the Carrie Steele Orphan Home, one of the first orphanages in the United States dedicated to African American children. At the time, Black-led institutions faced significant financial and social barriers. But she was determined and resourceful and raised funds through community donations and charitable events.

The orphanage gave children more than just shelter. Because Steele believed that education was the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, she made sure that the children got schooling and vocational training. She also created a nurturing environment where children felt safe and loved, helping them develop confidence and a sense of belonging.

The orphanage grew over time, serving hundreds of children who otherwise might have been left out on the street. It still provides care and support today through the Carrie Steele-Pitts Home. Her commitment to abandoned children helped create a model for child welfare services that emphasized not just survival but also personal growth and opportunity.

A lasting legacy

The work of these three women – Janie Porter Barrett, Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry, and Carrie Steele – was groundbreaking. Each of them faced extreme challenges like racism or lack of funding, yet they continued their important work. Their efforts helped change how society treats our vulnerable children, setting new standards for juvenile justice, foster care, healthcare, and orphanages.

At McCabe Russell, we draw insight from these pioneers. Their dedication to children’s welfare reminds us of why advocacy is so important. Whether we’re helping families work through an adoption, ensuring children have safe and loving homes, or fighting for the rights of vulnerable youth, we stay committed to the issues these women have championed. Contact us today for a confidential consultation by calling our offices or reaching out to us through our contact form. We maintain offices in Bethesda, Columbia, Fulton, and Rockville.