Founders Day - Stronger Together Upholding Our Legacy

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Spelman Trailblazers

In the face of opposition, challenge, and even danger, Spelman has always persevered. Since our founding on April 11, 1881, our students, alumnae, faculty and staff have persisted against all odds and remained ‘undaunted by the fight,’ as our hymn proclaims.

Though we are deeply saddened to be separated at this time, we prioritize the health of our entire community. We hope you and your loved ones remain safe, and encourage you to stay protected and uplifted. Despite our distance, we remain connected as Spelman family, and our bonds will unite us until we can be together again.

We still have so much to be grateful for, and so many reasons to celebrate our founding as a leader in the education of Black women. Our pride lives in every single student and alumna who has passed through Spelman’s gates and made a Choice to Change the World.

Trailblazer Spotlights

Sophia B. Packard and Harriet E. Giles, Founders

Every year on Founders Day at Spelman College, we must honor the two missionary women who journeyed together from New England to Georgia with the mission of creating an educational opportunity to uplift recently freed Black women.
Nora A. Gordon, Class of 1888 and Flora E. Zeto, Class of 1915

Spelman has always upheld a long-standing commitment to both provide study abroad opportunities and host international students. This endeavor began in 1889 with the first Spelman student to travel to Africa, Nora A. Gordon, C’1888, and Flora E. Zeto, C’1915, the first African student to graduate from Spelman Seminary. In honor of their dedication to enacting positive social change around the world, our Gordon-Zeto Center for Global Education is dedicated to them.
Dr. Sophia B. Jones and Ludie Clay Andrews, Class of 1906

Faculty member Dr. Sophia B. Jones and alumna Ludie Clay Andrews, C’1906, immensely impacted Spelman and the state of Georgia through their achievements in nursing education.
Jane Anna Granderson and Claudia White Harreld, Class of 1901

To kick off Spelman College's Founders Week, we are spotlighting the first college graduates from Spelman Seminary -- Jane Anna Granderson and Claudia White Harreld. These outstanding scholars received their degrees in 1901 and joined a group of just 5,000 Black college graduates in the United States at the time.