Booklet aims to educate on history of D.C. school names

Ever wonder how Shaw Junior High School got its name? Or Stevens Elementary?

The Women of the Dove Foundation are determined to provide the answers in a booklet, "What's in a Name: Profiles of the Trailblazers."

The group, a nonprofit branch of Zeta Phi Beta sorority, received a $2,500 grant from the District's Humanities Council and Historic Preservation Officeto begin its work.

"So many people have been excited about it," said Barbara Harvey, a foundation member. "They were so excited because they didn't have any idea where the names came from and who the people were. You know, all teachers should know this, also. Children are asking, and go through school, and graduate and never know."

The reference guide, which is a work in progress, will explain the history and heritage of two dozen public and charter schools in the District and the schools' eponyms.

Shaw Junior High, 925 Rhode Island Ave. NW, is named for Col. Robert Gould Shaw, commander of the all-black 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War. Stevens Elementary, at 21st and L NW, was named after Thaddeus Stevens, a 19th-century Pennsylvanian congressman and abolitionist who wanted to recolonize the Southern states.

Sylvia Patrick, director of the foundation's project, said the group will apply for more grants to help continue its research for all 131 public and 57 public charter schools. The group is planning to publish three booklets, Patrick said: one each for public schools, public charter schools and registered historic landmarks.

"People were suggesting we [should make it readable for] elementary students. Someone suggested it go online," said Patrick, who said ideas include a coloring book and making the booklet available to tourists.

Joy Austin, executive director of the Humanities Council of Washington, D.C., said: "In the historic preservation point of view, they are saying a project like that helps people who live and work in the neighborhood or live and work in the school. By knowing the history, they can take on the task of becoming better stewards of that building and preserving it for future generations.

"For the Humanities Council, it is more personally transformative," Austin said. "We think if you know the name of your school, it gives you an idea of where you came from, a sense of who you are and how you fit into the world."