Class of '52. The history of deaf black children at the Kendall School from the late 1800's to the early 1950's. The poor education that was given to the deaf children, however it was worse for the black deaf children. In the year of 1867-1888, the Columbia school for the deaf conducted integrated classes. Separate but equal doctrine was legitimated by Plessy vs. Ferguson. This law established the concept of segregation within education. The black deaf children were sent to other states for education to either Pennsylvania or Maryland. With the new laws being established that mandated all black deaf children to be given equal educational access within their home state. Mary Phillips, Bessie Thornton, Robert Robinson, Rubye Frye was the first four black teachers hired for the year of 1952 at Kendall School.
