Murray-Massenburg Elementary School

Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray

Betty Doretha Harris Massenburg

Murray, the first Black person to earn a degree from Yale Law School, was a legal scholar, author, feminist, poet, Episcopal priest, labor organizer, and multiracial Black, and LBGBTQ community member, according to a district news release. 

"Her legal arguments and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution were winning strategies for public school desegregation, women's rights in the workplace, and an extension of rights to LGBTQ+ people based on Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act," the release stated.     Schultz, M. (2022, May) Herald-Sun.

Massenburg was the first Black female  principal in Durham, leading Holloway Street Elementary in 1975.

"Her passion and commitment to teaching Durham students inspired not only the children, but also the community," the release stated.  "She was a proud career educator, business owner, motivational speaker, poet, author, and community servant leader."

Massenburg also taught at Crest Street and Fayetteville Street elementary schools; and, served as dean of girls and assistant principal at Rogers-Herr Middle School.   Schultz, M. (2022, May) Herald-Sun.