Vermont school teacher Viola Knapp Ruffner became a great influencer and supporter of forward-thinking academic and civil rights activist Booker t. Washington. Photo credit: Find a Grave.

It is no secret that dedicated educators influence the lives of many successful historical figures. One of these was Viola Knapp Ruffner, a school teacher who greatly influenced civil rights activist Book T. Washington.

Viola was born in February, 1812, in Arlington, Vermont. As a young girl she attended Bennington Academy in Bennington, Vermont. Once she earned her education, Viola taught in North Carolina and New Jersey. Later she established her own school, but when she became too ill, she accepted a position as a governess to General Lewis Ruffner, a widowed slat and coal mine owner in Kanawah County West Virginia. The general was a community leader, and even served in the Virginia General Assembly. In 1843, Viola married the General.

Viola had a reputation for being hardworking, conservative, and an exacting mistress, and sometimes had difficulty keeping household help. However, these attributes appealed to a young Booker T. Washington, who became a worker in her household following the Emancipation. In addition to becoming her employee, the teenager also became Viola’s private student. When he left her empty, Viola encouraged Booker to pursue further education. He professed a deep respect for her all his life, and Viola and her husband were staunch supporters and benefactors of Booker in his efforts to secure greater educational opportunities and political rights for African American citizens.

Booker and Viola remained good friends until her death at age 91 on December 5, 1903, in Louisville, Kentucky. She is interred at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky.