Mary Jane Patterson, first African American woman to receive a B. A., 1862

Mary Jane Patterson is considered the first Black woman to receive a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College in 1862.

Patterson initially took the one year female course of studies at Oberlin but continued on to the four year male course which included math, Greek and Latin. After she graduation, she was a teacher and a school administrator.

In addition Patterson was active in various civic projects. She helped sustain the Home for the Aged and Infirm Colored People in Washington D.C. and also created an industrial school for African American girls.

Patterson's portrait by Carol Jacobsen is from the 100 Women of Color and Accomplishment series. This series was started in 2020 as Carol’s call to action following the murder of George Floyd, when she was inspired to use art to bring attention to the overlooked women who have overcome barriers of race and gender to achieve their dreams and also give back to the community. They are powerful and inspiring women of character and the portraits are inspired by the following quote:

 "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Each matte canvas comes with back hanging already included for convenient placement. The frame is made with profile radiata pine that is ethically sourced from renewable forests.

.: Materials: cotton and polyester composite (canvas), pine wood (frame)
.: Comes in 60 different sizes (including vertical and horizontal orientations)
.: Horizontal, vertical and square options available
.: Soft rubber dots on bottom back corners for support
.: Back hanging included
.: Inner frame made with radiata pine sourced from renewable forests
.: Please note: Due to the production process of the canvases, please allow for slight size deviations with a tolerance +/- 1/8" (3.2mm)