Collections: Finding Aids
Archon Manuscript Collections Francis S. Tucker papers Finding Aid
By Emily Gibson, assisted by Ashley Davis
Title: Francis S. Tucker papers, 1921-1964
ID: 01/BAF MS_00148
Primary Creator: Tucker, Francis S. (6 November 1900 - 3 April 1964)
Extent: 0.25 Linear Feet
Subjects: Community activists, School principals, Sororities, Women educators
Languages: English
Francis S. Tucker (6 November 1900 - 4 March 1964) was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. Her parents were William and Ella Stewart; she was the second of four children.
She began her education in Massachusetts where she went to Holyoke Normal school in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and Westfield Normal School in Westfield, Massachusetts. In 1947, she received her Master of Arts degree from Hampton Institute in Virginia.
In 1921, she moved to Tuskegee, Alabama to serve on the faculty of the Tuskegee Institute where she taught for five years. There she met the famous scientist, Dr. George Washington Carver.
In 1926, Mrs. Tucker met and married Henry Delano Tucker in Montgomery, Alabama. They had two daughters, Ellen Louise and Doris Stewart. Also in 1926, Mr. and Mrs. Tucker moved to Miami, Florida, and Mrs. Tucker became principal of Miami-Dade County Training School.
In 1929, Mrs. Tucker became principal of Coconut Grove Junior High School (later to become George Washington Carver School). She was principal of George Washington Carver High School for twenty-eight years, and principal of George Washington Carver Elementary School for two years. She retired in June 1960. In 1961, a newly built elementary school was named in her honor, the Frances S. Tucker Elementary School.
In 1939, Mrs. Tucker became the president of the Miami- Dade County Teachers' Association. In 1941, her leadership in the community caused her to be invited to become a charter life member Beta Zeta Sigma chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority. Also in 1941, Mrs. Tucker purchased property, began building a house in Coconut Grove, and became involved with Negro Zoning legislation. She was one of the first African Americans to build a house in Coconut Grove.
Mrs. Tucker was chosen for Outstanding Principal of the Year for 1949-1950 by the Florida State Teachers' Association. She was awarded a Certificate of Merit and Achievement in 1954 by the Miami Chapter of Tuskegee Alumni Association. She became a charter member and a Trustee of the Church of the Open Door, United Church of Christ in 1958. She served on the Coral Gables City Urban Renewal Citizens Committee in 1959. She was appointed a member of the Coral Gables City Urban Bi-Racial Committee in 1960. She was also a member of the Board of Directors of the James E. Scott Community Association and worked with that organization for a number of years.
She died in Miami, Florida on March 4, 1964.
Repository: The Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South FL, Inc.
Access Restrictions: There are no restrictions on this materials.
Use Restrictions: Finding Aid (c) 2011 The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the Director of The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation, Inc. An image license agreement must be signed prior to recording or copying images.
Other Note: It is believed that Francis Tucker was the first black female principal in Miami, but we do not have documentary evidence to prove it as a fact.
