A few months ago the City of Spokane made some local history when they named their first public school after a Black woman. This was no ordinary Black woman, Frances L. Scott was a trailblazing educator, activist, lawyer, and force in Spokane for decades.

Scott, who passed away in 2010 and taught her last class 32 years ago was more than an educator, more like an icon. 

In 1958 when she started teaching English and German at Spokane’s Rogers High School she was one of the first four Black teachers in Spokane School District 

Long before “Representation Matters' ' became a commonplace battle cry in institutions and corporations across the country, Scott knew all too well how powerful her presence was. According to the Spokane Spokesman-Review newspaper - Scott in 1978 said Black teachers were important not as role models for Black students, but also for white students “who need to see Blacks in some roles other than scrubbing floors”

In 1978 at the age of 57, Scott earned her law degree from Gonzaga University and the very next year became the first Black woman lawyer in the City of Spokane. 

Even with a law degree in hand she continued to teach at Rogers High School for another decade during the day and worked with community members pro bono at night. 

Scott’s professional accomplishments are many including serving as the President of the Spokane Education Association as well as President of the Washington State University Board of Regents. 

Jerrall Haynes, who is currently serving as Spokane’s very first Civil Officer, was just a few short months ago the President of the Spokane School Board and he had the honor of presiding over the official name change. Haynes, who never met Scott, said that her legacy was inspiring and the honor incredible realizing that it is Scott’s shoulders that Haynes stands upon today. 

“Having the opportunity to name schools after anybody is a tremendous honor by having an opportunity to name them after a black woman that has the resume and has given their entire life to making a better community in a better world like for instance Scott did was an honor of a lifetime.” said Haynes

Lisa Garder, who is the Director of Communications for the Spokane City Council attended Sheridan Elementary and never knew Scott but is inspired by Scott’s legacy and the name change.

“As someone who's from this community, as a black woman, it's an honor just to know that her name was considered it was voted on and accepted was like, yes, we got this, it's a win, and to know that I went to that school. It makes me feel good” said Gardner

Congratulations Spokane for honoring and uplifting Frances L. Scott. Thank you Lisa Gardner for making us aware.

Video from the day of the official name change and Frances L. Scott’s family visiting the school.