Sarah Ann Blocker

Sarah Ann Blocker (October 27, 1857 – April 15, 1944) was an American educator and co-founder of Florida Memorial College, one of Florida's oldest HBCU. She was renowned for her leadership role as a teacher and administrator, playing a central role in expanding educational opportunities for African American students. Blocker was also inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame in 2003.

Blocker in a 1902 publication

Early life

Blocker earned her teaching certificate at the University of Atlanta in 1883.^[1]

Career

Blocker taught at Florida Baptist Academy from 1892,^[2] and was head of the normal department there.^[3] Blocker is credited with co-founding Florida Memorial College by arranging the merger of Florida Baptist Institute and Florida Baptist Academy, to form the Florida Memorial and Industrial Memorial Institute.^[1][4] Blocker served as both Dean of Women and vice president at the institute by 1935.^[5] One of her students at Florida Baptist Academy was philanthropist Eartha M. M. White.^[6] Another was author Zora Neale Hurston.

Personal life and legacy

Sarah Ann Blocker died in 1944, aged 86 years.^[1] She was originally buried on the Florida Memorial's St. Augustine campus alongside fellow co-founder and president, Nathan W. Collier.^[7] In 2003, Sarah Ann Blocker was inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame by Governor Jeb Bush.^[1] The following year, she received a posthumous honorary doctorate as part of the 125th-anniversary celebration at Florida Memorial University.^[8] The university honors her legacy by naming one of its building Sarah A. Blocker Hall.^[9] She is also commemorated, alongside other key figures of the institution, through the Collier-Blocker-Puryear Park.^[10] Additionally, there is a Sarah A. Blocker Meritorious Service Award given annually by Florida Memorial University.^[11]