Chalkboard champion Bessie Burke, the first African American principal hired in the Los Angeles Public School System.

In American history, there are many examples of fine educators who were also pioneers. One of these was Bessie Burke, who was the first African American principal hired in the Los Angeles Public School System.

Bessie was born on March 19, 1891, in Los Angeles. Just a few years earlier, in 1887, her parents had left their farms and teaching jobs in Kansas to migrate west. They settled in what is now known as North Hollywood.

As a young girl, Bessie attended Berendo Elementary School in LA. From Berendo Bessie went to Polytechnic High School in Pasadena.

After her high school graduation, Bessie enrolled in courses at Los Angeles State Normal School. The institution is now associated with the University of California at Los Angeles. The young scholar graduated seventh in a class of 800. Bessie earned her teaching credential in 1911. Her first teaching assignment was at Holmes Avenue School. In 1918, she was promoted and served as the first black principal in the Los Angeles school system. In all, she devoted 20 years to the Holmes Avenue School.

From Holmes, Bessie transferred to Nevin Avenue School, in 1938. The school featured a racially mixed student body. When she accepted this position, Bessie became one of the first Black principals in the state to head a racially integrated student body. Bessie retired in 1955. She is still remembered in the area as a distinguished humanitarian and well-respected educator and administrator.

In addition to her responsibilities at the school, Bessie served in several civic organizations, including the NAACP, the YWCA, the Native California Club, and the Women’s Political Study Club. She was also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

This amazing educator passed away in 1968 at the age of 68. She is interred at Angeles Rosedale Cemetery. To learn more about Bessie, click on this link from the US National Park Service: Bessie Burke.