Josephine Silone Yates

1859 – 1912

An inspiring teacher and passionate communicator, Josephine Silone Yates devoted
her life to fighting racial prejudice. The first African American certified to teach in
Rhode Island public schools, she later headed the natural sciences department at
Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Moving to Kansas City in 1889 she became the first president of the Women’s
League of Kansas City and the second president of the National Association of
Colored Women — positions that gave her a national forum from which to speak and
write on the betterment of her people. She ended her career teaching at Lincoln High
School in Kansas City.