All month, we’ll be partnering with The Black Heritage Society of Washington State to bring you artifacts, photos and stories from our community’s history.

Manima Wilson Davis was born in Everett, WA in 1886, Washington was not yet a state. Her father and mother, Samuel and Arminta Wilson were known for their community activism and Manima would follow in their footsteps in years to come. She graduated from Everett High School in 1907 and went on to attain a bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Washington where she is believed to be the first Black woman graduate from the UW.

Manima married Claude Davis and their union produced three children. The family was in Spokane for several years before returning to Seattle.

While in Seattle Manima would lead as a passionate member of the Sojourner Truth Home at 1422 23rd Avenue. Their charter mission was “to serve women with children and the friendless”. By 1940 the US Census shows that Manima was living in Illinois with her elderly parents and 19 year old daughter, Cathern. Nine years later at age 63, Manima Wilson Davis passes away.

Manima’s daughter Cathern Davis Flory was keeper of her mother’s history and was the donor of family photos and memorabilia to BHS. The photo of Cathern with her friend Johnny Mae was taken in 1929 outside Mt. Zion Baptist Church at 19th Avenue & E Madison Street.

Cathern, influenced by her mother, became an educator in Chicago public schools and went on to become an assistant professor at Chicago City College in 1969. Cathern was part of the team that worked on the appeal for Angela Davis in 1972. Her husband Ishmael Flory was a civil rights activist, trade union organizer, and communist party leader in Illinois.

The wedding dress belonged to Manima Wilson Davis, married in 1915, Seattle. The dress and photos are donations made by Manima’s daughter Cathern Davis Flory.