02/28/2026
As Black History Month comes to a close, we wanted to leave you with this story.
In 1897, Anita Florence Hemmings became one of the earliest known Black women to graduate from Vassar College—pursuing higher education at a time when access was shaped by racial exclusion and limited opportunity.
Her story reminds us that educational access has never been accidental. It has required courage, persistence, and people willing to push beyond barriers.
At TRIO Student Support Services at TCL, we carry that work forward by supporting access, strengthening persistence, and investing in student success every day.
Black history is deeply connected to the history of education—and the work continues.