Ida B. Wells

Ida B. Wells, circa 1893

Ida Bell Wells was born on July 16, 1862, in Holly Springs, Mississippi, shortly before Emancipation. In her early years, Ida was surrounded with politics as her father was interested in political affairs and would discuss them with friends at home. Her mother taught Ida the importance of discipline, teaching her to take care of home responsibilities from a young age.

But tragedy struck early for Ida and her family. In 1878, her parents and youngest brother died from a Yellow Fever epidemic ravaging the region. Family members wanted to split the surviving kids between foster homes. Ida adamantly rejected the idea. While grieving the loss, Ida chose to become responsible for her other five siblings. She dropped out of Rust College and took a job teaching. 

"I came home every Friday afternoon, riding the six miles on the back of a big mule. I spent Saturday and Sunday washing and ironing and cooking for the children and went back to my country school on Sunday afternoon," Ida would say. During the week, her grandmother helped care for the kids.