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Dr. Mary Elizabeth Branch
May 20, 1881 - July 6, 1944
Dr. Mary Elizabeth Branch, The Tillotson College Bulletin - Mary E. Branch Memorial Issue. Dr. Mary E. Branch papers. Courtesy of the Huston-Tillotson University Downs-Jones Library Archives and Special Collections, Austin, Texas.
Legacy Map
Introduction
Dr. Mary Elizabeth Branch
" We are very happy to know that you are interested in our library project here at Tillotson College. We need books of all kinds that may serve as reference in a college library: French, German, Spanish, history, biography, religion, sociology, psychology, education, home economics, philosophy, geography, literature, travel, fiction, and magazines. Any book that would fall under these heads would be helpful... We are working hard to bring our library up to the standard of an "A" class college. In order to do this, we must have about 3,000 more books. Friends have been generous in making contributions which, though small, have helped us considerably... - Yours very sincerely, (Miss) Mary. E. Branch, President." - Correspondences Concerning Tillotson College Library. Dr. Mary E. Branch papers. Courtesy of the Huston-Tillotson University Downs-Jones Library Archives and Special Collections, Austin, Texas.
Biography
Dr. Mary Elizabeth, The Tillotson College Bulletin - Mary E. Branch Memorial Issue. Dr. Mary E. Branch papers. Courtesy of the Huston-Tillotson University Downs-Jones Library Archives and Special Collections, Austin, Texas.
Mary Elizabeth Branch , college president, was born near Farmville, Virginia, on May 20, 1881, the daughter of formerly enslaved parents Tazewell and Harriett Branch. Although few African Americans received a public education in the late nineteenth century, the Branch children attended Farmville's elementary school. Their parents, born slaves but now members of a developing Black middle class, also taught their children at home. After completing high school studies in the normal school at Virginia State College, Petersburg, Mary Branch became an English teacher in the elementary school at Blackstone, Virginia. Later she joined the faculty of her alma mater, where she remained for twenty years. She was a challenging and popular instructor and also served as the college's housing director. During summers she attended the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, and the University of Chicago. The last granted her a bachelor's degree in 1922 and a master's degree in English in 1925. She also began studies there towards a doctorate in education. Towards the end of her career she received honorary degrees from Virginia State College and Howard University.
Branch began teaching social studies at Sumner Junior College in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1927. In 1928 she became dean of women at Vashon High School in St. Louis, which was then the largest school for Black girls in the country.
Tillotson College
In 1930 the American Missionary Association appointed her president of Tillotson College in Austin, Texas. At the time the institution was in trouble, Tillotson had been forced by declining enrollments and poor administration to reorganize as a junior college for women in 1929.
"In 1930, Tillotson had come upon difficult days. Everything was dilapidated. The five old buildings were in need of repair. The campus was barren and dusty. The student body numbered only 69 girls. It's education was at a new low. No one was proud of being a Tillotson graduate. The A.M.A. debated closing the school. Obviously more than a man-sized job lay ahead if the college was to be continued and built up again. But Mary Branch turned out to be just the woman for that size job." - Milton A. Maxwell, September 1944
As president, Branch sought to make Tillotson a successful and respected four-year college once more. Under her direction the college's facilities were improved. The library expanded. Old buildings underwent renovation, and new buildings, including a men's dormitory and a gymnasium, were constructed. In order to attract new students and strengthen the educational program, Branch abolished the high school program and increased the college budget. She also doubled the size of the faculty and raised education requirements for instructors. She recruited students throughout the Southwest and offered scholarships to the most needy.
In an effort to give Tillotson a more contemporary atmosphere, Branch abolished mandatory chapel, permitted the organization of fraternities and sororities, and encouraged the formation of academic and athletic clubs. Throughout her tenure she also worked to improve the college's relationship with the community by participating in civic affairs and establishing contacts with faculty at the University of Texas and Samuel Huston College, as well as with public school teachers and administrators. She also worked towards a merger with Samuel Huston College, although the two institutions did not join until after her tenure.
Dr. Mary Elizabeth Branch (Pictured Second from Left) and Faculty in front of the "Old Administration Building". Courtesy of the Huston-Tillotson University, Downs-Jones Library Archives.
During the Branch administration enrollment steadily grew. Moreover, in 1935, Tillotson reorganized as a coeducational, four-year institution. In 1936 the college was admitted to membership in the American Association of Colleges, and in 1943 it received an "A" rating from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. On the celebration of the rating, President Branch beamed to her associates "Now that makes me feel that I've really done something!"
Legacy
While in Austin, Mary Branch became active in the civil-rights movement. She became president of the Austin chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1943. She also served on the State Interracial Commission of Texas. During the Great Depression she devoted much time to the National Youth Administration. In 1935 Lyndon B. Johnson appointed her to the NYA Negro Advisory Board for Texas. In 1944 Branch helped to establish the United Negro College Fund. She passed away in a Camden, New Jersey Hospital following an unsuccessful surgery on July 6, 1944, at the height of her career.
"She Believed in herself. 'If I don't believe in myself, how can I ask you or anyone else to believe in me?' Yet she was un-ostentatious and humble. Her Judgement was excellent. It was her conscious policy to get all the facts she could on any new proposal, to make sure that they were the facts, to talk the matter over leisurely with others, and then go off by herself and make up her mind. Decisions made that way were usually good and backed up with all she had." - Milton A. Maxwell, September 1944
The Tillotson College Bulletin - Mary E. Branch Memorial Issue, Dr. Mary E. Branch papers. Courtesy of the Huston-Tillotson University Downs-Jones Library Archives and Special Collections, Austin, Texas.
"Six months ago, a light went out in our great State of Texas. It was a bright and luminous light that shed its rays in all directions and blessed all whom it touched. That light was the radiant and forceful personality of Miss Mary E. Branch, distinguished President of Tillotson College...President Branch traveled far and wide from coast to coast in order to further the interest of Tillotson College. And the college's power of attraction lay chiefly in the magnetism of her personality, for she was a dynamic and colorful woman, and those of us who have heard her speak will never forget the strength and clearness of her voice, her delightful sense of humor, and her charming smile...One could not know President Branch for any length of time without sensing that the central thread around which her entire mental and spiritual life was woven was an overpowering interest in poor people. She was very sympathetic toward those who who were socially and economically handicapped, and she often expressed the conviction that the destiny of mankind rests with the impoverished and the lowly, and she was their champion. Because of this vital concern with the poor, President Branch lit a light at Tillotson that radiated throughout not only the Southwest but the entire nation." - Dr. William H. Jones
Namesakes
The Mary E. Branch Gymnasium & Auditorium , Huston-Tillotson University
The Mary E. Branch Gymnasium and Auditorium was built starting in 1951 before the Merger of 1952. It is one of the remaining buildings from the original Tillotson College Campus, and bares a single namesake similar to Evans Industrial Building. Designed by Kuehne, Brooks, and Barr Architects.
Mary Elizabeth Branch Park , Mueller District, Austin, Texas
"Mueller is proud to name its seventh public park after Mary Elizabeth Branch. The park is located on Aldrich Street, between Garcia and Philomena Streets."
"Branch Park Dedication Gallery" (Statesman)
Branch Elementary , Bryan, Texas
"Our school proudly bears the namesake of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Branch, the first African American female to become President of a Texas College (Tillotson College - Austin, Texas)."
Branch Hall , Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia
The four story, five wing, female residence building of Branch Hall was erected during the 1949-1950 academic year.
Learn More: Additional Links
Dr. Mary Elizabeth Branch Papers - Huston-Tillotson University, Downs-Jones Library Archives
KUT 90.5 Article dedicated to Mary Elizabeth Branch " Texas Women's History Month: A Collegiate Legend "
Mary Elizabeth Branch (1881-1944) (Black Past)
Olive D. Brown and Michael R. Heintze, “Branch, Mary Elizabeth,” Handbook of Texas Online, accessed March 02, 2021, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/branch-mary-elizabeth. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.