Edmonia Lewis (1844–1907) was the first African-American
woman to become a professional sculptor. Born of Haitian
and Native American Chippewa descent in the city of
Rensselaer, her mother was a craftswoman who sold
souvenirs to tourists, while her father was a gentleman’s
servant. Orphaned by the age of nine, she was adopted
by her maternal aunts. Her half-brother Samuel went to
California and made money in the gold rush and was able
to pay for her to have an education. In 1856, Lewis enrolled
at McGrawville, a Baptist abolitionist school in New York.
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Edmonia Lewis (1844–1907) was the first African-American
woman to become a professional sculptor. Born of Haitian
and Native American Chippewa descent in the city of
Rensselaer, her mother was a craftswoman who sold
souvenirs to tourists, while her father was a gentleman’s
servant. Orphaned by the age of nine, she was adopted
by her maternal aunts. Her half-brother Samuel went to
California and made money in the gold rush and was able
to pay for her to have an education. In 1856, Lewis enrolled
at McGrawville, a Baptist abolitionist school in New York.
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