Carter G. Woodson

Although many people think of a hero as someone who has done something extraordinary for a child or someone who has given up money for charity, there are other people, everyday people, who are heroes too. My hero is Carter G. Woodson. He had heroic character traits such as self-determination, self-discipline and, above all, motivation to do for himself.

Carter Woodson, "father of Black History Month."Courtesy of the New River Gorge National River website, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, United States Govt. [Public Domain]Carter G. Woodson was born in New Canton, Virginia, on December 19, 1875. He was born to a poor family. Because of his family being poor, he had to work in coal mines to support himself which in turn made it impossible for him to be in school. He was finally able to enroll in high school when he was 20. He finished his schooling in 2 years, which was unheard of in that time. After he graduated he taught high school, wrote articles, and studied.

He received his associate’s degree at Berea College at the age of 22. He then went back to working in the mines, studying Latin and Greek between trips. After beginning college at the University of Chicago, he graduated with a bachelor's and a master's degree. He went on to receive his PhD from Harvard University in 1912. He was the second black person to receive a doctorate in history. He also studied at the Sorbonne University in Paris after traveling throughout Europe and Asia.

Journal of Negro History

In 1915 Dr. Woodson established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History with some friends in Chicago. The Journal of Negro History appeared a year later. He taught at a few universities before becoming a principal at Armstrong Manual Training School in 1918. From 1919 to 1922 he was a dean at schools, such as: School of Liberal Arts, Howard University, and West Virginia Collegiate Institute. Woodson established Black History Week, now known as Black History Month, in 1926, and later in 1937 he published the first issue of "Negro History Bulletin." He died on April 3, 1950 of unknown causes.

To many people it wouldn't seem like a man like Carter G. Woodson would have an affect on my life. I'm not black, and I haven't lived through hard times, so it may be hard for some people to understand. Dr. Woodson had an affect on my life because he made something of himself. It inspires me to see how determined this man was to succeed, and how he did it with no one's help. I think Dr. Woodson is one of the most heroic men I have ever heard of. He is a great role model and he will always be remembered.