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by Gwen Marshall important thing we want you to know as parUnite Contributing Writer ents is that you are not alone in this struggle. by Carla Benham Unite Contributing Writer Sarah Boone is one of the first Black women to be granted a US patent. The dressmaker from New Haven, Connecticut received Letters Patent No. 473,653 in April of 1892 for an improvement to the ironing board. Her wooden ironing board made it possible to press sleeves without unwanted creases. It also made it possible to iron the entire body of ladies garments leaving them wrinkle-free. Sarah’s designs influenced the current style of ironing boards as we know them today. The board that Boone designed was very narrow and curved to accommodate the sleeve size in ladies garment of that period. Not only was it reversible, but could also be produced flat rather than curved to be better suited for the sleeves of men’s coats. In addition to this, her ironing board aided in ironing curved waist seams. Sarah Boone was born a slave in 1832 in Mississippi. At the age of 15, on November 1847 she married James Boone who also was As a school district we are aware of the chalenslaved. Through this union eight children were born and the details about their flight from slavery were unknown. It’s assumed that one or both of them may have escaped via the Underground Railroad prior to the start of the US Civil War. In 1870, the couple took up residency in New Haven, Connecticut according to US Census data. Her husband’s occupation was noted as a bricklayer and hers was that of a dressmaker. Her business as a dressmaker was conducted out of her residence and her three daughters participated in that profession as well. By 1876, she became a widow and enrolled in a literacy class offered by a local church. This basic education helped her with her dressmaking business and later to apply for her patent for a foldable ironing board with a padded surface. Her profession required a high level of skill in sewing, pattern-making and custom fittings. One of the most tedious Springfield, MO—I have received lenges you are facing and are here to a few phone calls from parents that be of assistance to you. There is an are having a difficult time with their old cliché that says “it is the squeaky students and remote learning. It has wheel that gets the oil” it is very been especially tough on students important that you stay in touch with who also have to deal with challenges your student’s teachers and such as learning disabilities, econom- counselors. ic hardship, or unstable home envi- Data has indicated that some of ronments. Some of these students our students are struggling but we are struggling to thrive in a remote Gwen Marshall need you to make sure that you keep environment where they lack hands-on guid- reaching out for help. You might need ance, emotional support, and for some access to check with your school to see if there are A+ to technology. tutors available or if there are tutoring oppor We are excited that Springfield Public tunities in your building that your student can Schools have begun to bring students back take advantage of. into the buildings but we still face the negative It is true that we are in unprecedented effects of those that have fallen behind. One times, but together we can accomplish anything we put our minds to. Just don’t give up, we realize that we are not operating under optimal conditions but we will persevere. Keep reaching out, keep inquiring and know that Springfield Public Schools principals, teachers, counselors and staff are here to serve you. It is also important that you keep your students engaged in learning by reading books together and discussing what you have read, have open conversations with them about how they are feeling. And as Winter Break approaches let’s enjoy more family time, playing, watching a movie or exercising together. Happy Holidays to you and yours from the Office of Equity and Diversity.

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Black Inventor Sarah Boone is granted a US patent for a tool used every day

Late Deadline January 9-15, 2021 aspects of the job was pressing new garments for clients or for display on mannequins. One of Sarah’s greatest challenges was pressing dresses with tiny waistlines and tight sleeves using wide wooden boards. Because Boone endured this challenge, she felt the need to design a product that would be inexpensive, convenient and useful especially when ironing the sleeves and bodies of ladies’ garments. She proceeded to produce her own technical drawings for the US Patent Office application that she submitted July 28, 1891. The patent was granted on April 26, 1892. Unfortunately, there has been no record found as to whether or not her invention was produced or marketed. So it is very possible that she never benefitted from her hard work. Sarah Boone is believed to have suffered from a kidney ailment known as Bright’s Disease and died in New Haven on October 29, 1904.