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Lula Martin McIver

Early Life Lula Verlinda Martin was born on June 8, 1864 in Salem, North Carolina to Dr. Samuel Martin and Verlinda Miller Martin. The Martins moved to Missouri when she was only two. Received her early education for home. At the age of eight, she requested to go to public school and was placed in fourth grade. They returned home to North Carolina in 1875. There she attended and graduated from Moravian Academy in 1881 in Salem. Met her soon-to-be husband Charles Duncan McIver while teaching at Windsor Graded School in 1884. Married Charles in 1885. Considering that a wedding ring was a badge of slavery Lula decided to never wear one. Charles and Lula had four children: Annie, Lula, Verlinda Millie (who passed away as a child), and Charles Jr.

Career Worked at Oxford Orphanage and taught at the Winston Graded School where she met her husband, Charles Duncan McIver. Joined her husband in his crusade to provide higher education for women. Taught at Peace Institute in Raleigh with her husband in 1886. Served as "lady principle" briefly at the Charlotte Female Institute which is now called Queen's University. Moved to Greensboro in 1892 where Charles was named president of the new state normal and industrial school. As campus's first lady she received guests and participated in many civic organization. Served on the board of directors of YMCA. She worked with her husband to build North Carolina's white public education system, one school at at time. She helped find the Woman's Association for the Betterment of Public School Houses and after her husband's death, she was the field's secretary. Raised money for Palmer Memorial Institute for half a century.

Strongly Believed In Felt that educating women would be the key to building an effective public school system. Believed that African Americans deserved a good education.

Later Years After her husband died in 1906, Lula remained in the McIver House until she passed away on December 22, 1944.