Artemisia Bowden: Educational Visionary of St.

Philips
College
Beverly L. Bragg

Texas A&M University-San Antonio

ARTEMISIA BOWDEN

AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATION IN TEXAS: A BRIEF HISTORY

Between 1866 and 1900 the Texas Legislature created

segregation laws that took educational resources away
from black citizens. Although Texas established and
maintained public schools for black children, these schools
did not provide adequate curricula for African American
students, leaving private entities such as the Freedmans
Aid Society, as well as black and white religious groups to
fill in the gaps. Many types of black educational
institutes were established during this time, and one such
institution was the black two-year college. One of the
most successful black two-year colleges in Texas was St.
Philips College in San Antonio.

I think the best of people. They appeal to me as personalities,

on the basis of their personal growth and not from the aspect of
race, color, or creed. This quote from African American
educator Artemisia Bowden reflects her attitude towards
education, as well as her attitude towards people in general.
In 1902, Artemisia Bowden moved to San Antonio, Texas to
run a small sewing school. Under the direction of Ms. Bowden,
this small sewing school would continue to grow and eventually
become one of the most successful junior colleges in San
AntonioSt. Philips Community College. But this journey was
not an easy one. During her time at St. Philips, Bowden had to
overcome many obstacles, including financial difficulties, racial
bias from the community, and the effects of The Depression.
As a black female educator in south Texas in the 20th century,
Bowdens vision and determination carried her much further
than her social position allowed for, Yes, my journey has been
over a long and rugged trail. There have been some happy
moments, and there were times when I was near despair, from
which Providence rescued me. Life has been a glorious
opportunity to render service and to make a contribution.

ST. PHILIPS COLLEGE: A BRIEF HISTORY

St. Philips College was initially established by Bishop

James Steptoe Johnston in 1897 as a sewing school for

young girls. Despite adversity and prejudice from the
white community, the school continued to grow and
eventually developed a curricula that focused on
vocational skills such as sewing and cooking. In 1902,
Artemisia Bowden became the principal of St. Philips and
this focus began to change. For the next 52 years, she

THE VISION
>Artemisia Bowden reorganized St. Philips into three departments the
Primary department which utilized kindergarten methods of teaching for
the subjects of spelling, reading, and writing. The Grammar department
for grades 6 through 9 focused on reading, math, U.S. and Texas history,
rhetoric, botany, and civil government. The Industrial department
focused on skills such as sewing and cooking.
>Bowden didnt just manage St. Philips, she also taught many of the
classes.
>When the school began to grow and space became limited, she worked
with Bishop Johnston to raise money to add a second story to the
existing school building.
>In 1907 when the public school system decided to incorporate
industrial education into their curricula, attendance at St. Philips
dropped. Bowden began recruiting students outside of San Antonio. To
house the out-of-town recruits, she worked to obtain a piece of land for a
boarding school.
>As San Antonio's business district began to grow, the U.S. Bureau of
Education recommended that St. Philips move from downtown to a
more rural part of town.
>By 1917 Bowden had raised enough money to secure 4 acres of land
on the east side of San Antonio and in 1918 the school relocated.
>In 1927 St. Phillips was recognized as a Junior College and Bowdens
title changed from principal to president.
>When The Depression hit, St. Philips suffered financially. Bowden
began a fund raising campaign to pay the bills and keep the doors open.
She traveled locally and out of state to ask for donations. She kept in
touch with Bishop Johnston and other school officials with letters.

would work to change a small industrial school into an

institute of higher learning.

>Without Bowdens fundraising efforts, St. Philips would have closed.