3&0t Ife Ifargrt
Some deed of kindness.
However small,
proved her love for all.
A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE AND WORK
OF
MY SISTER, SUSIE HELEN PORTER
BY
HER BROTHER, HENRY WARE PORTER
Executive Secretary of the S. W. Branch
Y. M. C. A., Philadelphia, Pa.
"Earth's Noblest Thing, a Woman Perfected."
—James Russel Lowell.
"Sow good service; sweet remembrances will grow from them."
■—Madame De Stael.
PREFACE.
11e all have aspirations, and are happier for having visions which
are never real Yet the earlier we realize that life is not a play
thing, bat a day of earnest activity, the more proficient we will be
and the greater service will be rendered for mankind.
Energetic men and women can do anything; and Jean Ingelow
truly says, that Work is heaven s hest''.
ff we cannot write Books, lead an army or reform prisons,
ive can train the youth, also we can do some kind of work to lighten
the biirdens of parents.
We can bless the world in many ways, if we fail, we are un¬
true to ourselves and to (rod.
Miss Susie Helen Porter
FOR TWENTY YEARS TEACHER AT TUSKEGEE NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE.
RETIRED NOW AT HER HOME
1657 CLINTON STREET, KNOXVILLE, TENN.
.jfeAmciry, 19, 1918
SUSIE HELEN PORTER
E hear frequently of great gifts, both of money and ser¬
vice made by men of our race to Institutions and indi¬
viduals ; but too seldom do we call the attention of our
youth, to our women whose noble lives are given for
the development of the life and character of those
whom they are called upon to teach.
The most famous teachers owe their success to some individual
whose life was to them the star of hope in their life's preparation.
And those whose humble circumstances deprive them of the
courage, and ambition to accomplish the desire of their hearts must
be reminded of those who did not allow poverty nor past or previous
conditions to prevent them doing all that was possible that they
might render the best possible service for mankind.
In a plain home, in the historic town of Marietta. Ga., was
born, August, 1866, Susie Helen Porter.
Her father and mother, Joseph and Louisa Porter, possessed
energy and good sense and endeavored to give their children the
best education the village afforded. When Susie was sixteen years
old she entered Atlanta University, and with an economical, self-
sacrificing spirit, she realized that if "I am to be a woman I must
work my way up," and from that very moment she "knew no Alps."
Susie worked her way through school. During the School year she
would do what ever extra work would be given to aid in paying her
board and tuition, and at the close of the school in May, would go
into the rural districts of Georgia and teach school for three months.
4
It is needless to say that these three months were the hottest
of the summer months, and required a spirit of endurance to go
through, with very few real comforts to give strength and en¬
couragement in or out of the humble school houses or poor homes
where she was obliged to labor and live. J
Susie was one who braved without complaint, every storm of
disappointment, forgetting all but the ever purpose to qualify for
service. Graduating with honor from Atlanta University, she
was then ready to commence a life of real service. She taught
school, as that seemed her choice work for life. Teaching in the
Public Schools of Atlanta, Ga. and Jacksonville, Fla., a few years,
after which she received a call to the work at Tuskegee Normal
and Industrial Institute under Mr. Booker T. Washington.
Susie loved Tuskegee and there was no one whom she honored
more than Mr. Washington, whose principles became a part of her
and were instilled in the lives of every young man and woman who
came under her supervision.
Susie never ceased studying, for she realized that efficiency for
service required that we constantly increase our knowledge and
that could only be done by frequent and faithful study.
So far as I have been able to determine, about eighty-five per
cent, of the many girls and young women who came under Susie's
influence developed useful Christian characters.
She said if a girl would grow mentally, morally, spiritually, the
following rules must be observed:
HELPS TO MENTAL GROWTH
(1) A strong, clean, and healthy body is necessary.
(2) Regular study hours and pleasant conditions.
(3 Cultivation of taste for good reading" matter of every
description.
(4) Attendance of Lectures and Musicals.
(5) Proper performance of industrial work which requires
keen mental activity.
HELPS TO MORAL GROWTH
(1) Clean and health}' bodies.
(2) Attractive, clean surroundings.
(3) Good association of both sexes.
(4) Profitable and interesting occupation.
(5) Wholesome amusements and occasional social entertain¬
ments, sexes intermingling under careful chaperonage.
(6) Attendance at literary, musical and religious exercises.
HELPS TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH
(1) Christian influence in the home, prayer, Bible study,
Religious Hymns.
(2) Attendance at Sabbath School, , Church Service, and
other religious services.
(3) Reading sacred literature, the Bible, Bible Stories and
Hymns.
(4) Close observation of Christion leaders and teachers, in
the Church and schools.
(5) Continual Prayer and Bible Study.
(6) Read the Life of jesus.
6
Do this and you will be a blessing in your home, society and the
church and prosperous in your business.
To these principles I attribute my success and ability to do for
others what I did.
—Susie Helen Porter.
The following are testimonials of many of my pupils— "Miss
Porter you helped me as no other to grow physically, mentally, mor¬
ally and spiritually and to have high ideals. I am teaching others
just as you taught me."
My Dear Mr. Porter:—I think constantly of Miss Porter and
of her bravery in all that she must bear. I am sure courage is one
of her characteristics. When Miss Porter left Tuskegee, it was
many months before those of us who had known her so long and
whose heroine she was, could console ourselves.
I think I am safe in saying that no one has ever worked with
us here at Tuskegee in whom Mr. Washington and I had greater
confidence as to her 'ability to do things and certainly no one ever
had greater respect and affection from us than Miss Porter.
Everywhere I met the Tuskegee girls who were here
during the time of Miss Porter's life here shows quite plainly the
influence of her life and work upon them.
Miss Porter was in Tuskegee about twenty years, for some
years she had charge of the Children's House. In this school she
had a chance to really mould character for the small children con¬
nected with the school at that time.
Three of my children were under her influence and although
men and women today, they speak of her most tenderly.
For three years she acted as critic teacher in the Academic De¬
partment and did much to strengthen and improve the teaching force
in this department. After this she became Dean of the Woman's
department. In this position I knew her most intimately, for we
had to work together.
Her ideals of life and conduct were high and she brought those
of everyone else up as far as possible to her own. During the time
Miss Porter was Dean there were always from four to five hundred
young women under her supervision. Her daily life among the
girls and women was such that no one could go into her presence
and not feel higher and better. Miss Porter went away to rest, but
when Mr. Washington's health was so near to the breaking point she
wanted to return and help him, and his work, and she did return,
but the strain was too great and in a few months she had to give
up again.
9/15/17. Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Booker T. Washington.
Susie saved her earnings, often deprived of many things which
she should have had, aided mother and father, and other members
of her family and purchased her own home, where she now lives,
1657 Clinton Street, Knoxville, Tenn.—Permitted by our Heavenly
Father to look across the valley to the beautiful range of Blue Ridge
Mountains, thus thinking I know—From whence comes her help; and
while resting to think of her life's work with the satisfaction that
her strength and knowledge was given to help others.
I would say to all who would read this brief sketch of the faith¬
ful life and work of my loving sister: Be courageous! Strive
against sickly phantasies, enter hopefully into active service that
your talents may be useful to others and thus to yourself.
H. W. P.
*