Black Women in New Hampshire: A Living History
We honor the Black women whose names we know and the many more whose work shaped our communities but was never written down.
Black women have always been part of the story of the land now called New Hampshire. Some of our names appear in archives, newspapers, and history books. Many more do not. What gets recorded in history is often shaped by white supremacy and respectability politics, where recognition tends to follow titles, wealth, or social status. Meanwhile the everyday labor that holds our people together often goes unseen.
Across generations, Black women have been the big mamas, aunties, grannies, and caregivers who sustained families and communities while carrying many responsibilities at once. They fed folks, raised children, passed down culture, organized neighbors, held space for healing, and made a way when resources were scarce. That kind of leadership doesn’t always come with a headline, but it is the backbone of our communities.
The women highlighted on this page represent only a small part of that legacy. This list is not meant to exclude anyone. If there is a Black woman connected to New Hampshire whose story you believe should be included here, we invite you to share it with us. We especially welcome stories about the big mamas, aunties, grannies, and caregivers whose work helped sustain our people. You can email us at contactbwinh@gmail.com so we can continue building this living record of our history together.
Colonial & Early Black Life in New Hampshire
Ona Judge Staines (1773–1848)
Ona Judge was enslaved by George Washington and escaped from the presidential household in Philadelphia in 1796. She fled to Portsmouth, New Hampshire where she built a life as a free woman.
Despite multiple attempts by Washington to recapture her, she refused to return to slavery. Judge later married Jack Staines and raised three children before her death in Greenland, New Hampshire in 1848.
Her story is one of the most well-documented acts of self-liberation by an enslaved woman in early United States history.
Dinah Whipple (1760 - 1846)
Dinah Whipple was an enslaved Black woman living in Portsmouth in the 1700s. In 1769 she was brutally attacked for walking with a white servant. The assault was widely reported and became an example used by abolitionists to expose the violence of slavery in New England. She later became part of Portsmouth’s early free Black community. Together with her husband Prince Whipple, she helped support the creation of an African School for Black children in Portsmouth.
Black Women in 19th Century New Hampshire
Harriet E. Wilson (1825–1900)
Born in Milford, New Hampshire, Harriet E. Wilson wrote Our Nig, one of the earliest novels published by a Black woman in the United States.
The book exposed the realities of racism and labor exploitation in the North, challenging the myth that racism existed only in the South.
Wilson later worked as a spiritualist healer and lecturer, speaking publicly about labor reform, education, and her life experiences.
Flora Stewart (-1868)
Flora Stewart was formerly enslaved and later lived in Londonderry, New Hampshire after gaining her freedom.
She became widely known throughout the state and reportedly lived to be over 100 years old, making her one of the oldest residents in New Hampshire during the 19th century.
Her life reflects the transition from slavery to freedom for many Black people in New England.
Samantha Plantin (1825–1899)
Samantha Plantin became the first known Black woman landowner in Manchester, New Hampshire.
When she passed away in 1899, she left her remaining money and property to support Black education. Her estate included donations to historically Black institutions such as the Tuskegee Institute and Haynes Normal Institute in Alabama.
Her philanthropy demonstrated a commitment to education and the advancement of Black communities beyond New Hampshire.
Black Women in 20th Century New Hampshire
Edith Mary Green (1879–1951)
Edith Mary Green moved to the Canterbury Shaker Village in 1895. She attended the Shaker school and later worked in the creamery where milk was processed.
Green remained part of the Shaker community for the rest of her life and was remembered for her patience and kindness toward visitors and fellow residents,
Inez Glenn Bishop (1927–2014)
Inez Glenn Bishop moved to Manchester in 1947. While working in an electrical manufacturing plant, she became a leader among workers advocating for fair treatment.
Bishop challenged wage discrimination and advocated for equal pay for women workers. Her advocacy helped lead to meaningful workplace changes, and she later served as a union president.
Reverend Peggy O. Smith (1942 - 2007)
Rev. Peggy O. Smith was a faith leader and community advocate in Nashua who devoted her life to serving others through ministry and outreach. She founded the Tolles Street Mission, a community ministry that provided food, clothing, and support to individuals and families in need while creating a welcoming space for fellowship and care. Through her work in faith and service, she became known for her compassion, generosity, and commitment to uplifting the Nashua community.
Hon. Claire D. Clarke (-2022)
Hon. Claire D. Clarke was a New Hampshire educator, public servant, and community advocate who served five terms as a State Representative representing Boscawen. Before entering state government, she spent more than three decades working as a counselor in the Winnisquam Regional School District and was a strong advocate for children and education. Clarke also served for many years on the Merrimack Valley School District School Board and remained active in numerous civic and community organizations while championing opportunities for women and children of color in rural communities.
Continuing the Legacy: Black Women Leading Today
Brenda Bailey Lett
Brenda Bailey Lett is a longtime New Hampshire community leader and educator whose work has focused on advancing conversations about race, equity, and understanding across communities. She is co-author of Race Between Us: A Teacher and Student’s Guide to Undoing Racism, a book created to help readers engage more deeply with the history and impact of racism in the United States. In recognition of her leadership and contributions to community dialogue and cultural understanding, she was named Citizen of the Year by the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire in 2021.
Hon. Linda Harriott-Gathright
Hon. Linda H. Gathright is President of the Greater Nashua Area NAACP and New Hampshire Director for the NAACP’s New England Area Conference. A longtime public servant, she previously spent more than 34 years in contract management at Verizon and later served two terms on the Nashua Board of Aldermen as well as in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Through her leadership with the NAACP, she has supported civil rights advocacy, community partnerships, and initiatives focused on strengthening opportunities for youth and families across the region
Hon. Gloria Timmons (1952 - 2025)
Honoring Her Legacy
Hon. Gloria Timmons was a longtime Nashua public servant who dedicated many years to supporting youth, families, and civic life in the city. She served on the Nashua Board of Aldermen and the Nashua Board of Education, where she was known for her commitment to community service and advocacy for residents. Through her work in local government and community programs, she helped strengthen connections across the city and left a lasting impact on the Nashua community.
Melanie Levesque
Melanie Levesque is a New Hampshire public servant and community advocate who has served in both the New Hampshire House of Representatives and the New Hampshire Senate. Representing communities in southern New Hampshire, her public service has focused on issues including civil rights, public health, election integrity, and strengthening local communities. Levesque made history as the first African American State Senator in New Hampshire. In recognition of her leadership and commitment to justice, she has received honors including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition Leadership Award and the Harbor Care Social Justice Award.
JerriAnne Boggis
JerriAnne Boggis is a public historian and community leader who serves as Executive Director of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire and founder of The Harriet Wilson Project. Through her work in research, public history, and community education, she has helped bring greater visibility to the stories of Black life and history in New Hampshire. Boggis previously served as Director of Diversity Programs and Community Outreach at the University of New Hampshire and has received numerous recognitions for her work, including being named a Freedom Fighter by the Seacoast NAACP and receiving the Granite State Award from the University of New Hampshire for her contributions to the state.
Kile Adumene
Kile Adumene is a community organizer and advocate in New Hampshire whose work has focused on civic engagement, racial justice, and strengthening community participation in public life. Through organizing, coalition building, and community dialogue, she has supported efforts that encourage greater involvement in civic processes and amplify community voices across the state
Mary Ngwanda Georges
Mary Ngwanda Georges is a community leader, educator, and advocate who has contributed to civic and public service in New Hampshire and beyond. She served on the Manchester School Board, becoming the first African immigrant elected to that body and helping represent the city’s growing immigrant and African communities. Georges has also been involved in leadership and advocacy work focused on education, community empowerment, and expanding opportunities for women and families.
Hon. Caroletta C. Alicea
Hon. Caroletta C. Alicea is a public servant and community advocate who has worked in state and federal government roles while remaining active in civic life in New Hampshire. She previously served as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives representing Nashua and has also worked in congressional and federal policy roles. Through her work in government and community engagement, she has supported initiatives focused on public service, civic participation, and strengthening opportunities for local communities.