Impactful Black Women in Colorado Lesson Plan

Overview

Past and Present: Two Black Women of Colorado

Author

Kelsey Sutliff

Topics

Black women, Clara Brown, Ruth Cousins Denny

Theme / Focus

Black women’s impact in Colorado

Learning Outcomes: 

  • Social Studies

Materials and Resource Sets

Women in Colorado Resource Set

Clara Brown and Ruth Cousins Denny Slideshow

Ruth Cousins Denny portrait, 1960
Black and white portrait photograph of first Black inductee into the Society of Colorado Pioneers, Clara Brown, circa 1875-1880.

Lesson Plan

While the lesson plan grade level is designed for Fourth Grade, it is scaleable to adjust to different audiences. 

Inquiry/Essential Questions: 

  • How did Black women play a pivotal role in the development of Colorado?

Standard Alignment (Evidence Outcomes): 

SS.4.1.1: Analyze primary and secondary sources from multiple points of view to develop an understanding of the history of Colorado.

SS.4.1.2: Describe the historical eras, individuals, groups, ideas, and themes in Colorado history and their relationship to key events in the United States within the same historical period.

  • Describe both past and present interactions among the people and cultures in Colorado.

Key Vocabulary: 

  • Racial Inequality – The unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and treatment based on race

  • Discrimination – The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people especially on the grounds of ethnicity, race, sex, or disability 

Place/Location:

  • Central City, Colorado
  • Denver, Colorado

Activity:

  1. Use this slideshow: Clara Brown and Ruth Cousins Dennyslideshow for Clara Brown and Ruth Cousins Denny presentation

  2. Slideshow includes links to Ruth Cousins Denny and Clara Brown videos
  3. Slideshow includes graphic organizers, also included below. 
Ruth Cousins Denny
Ruth Cousins Denny to be inducted into Colorado Women's Hall of Fame
Clara Brown: Pioneering Philanthropist
Colorado Experience: Aunt Clara Brown

Aunt Clara Brown: Official Pioneer

notecatcher for comparing Clara Brown and Ruth Cousins Denny
Venn Diagram of Clara Brown and Ruth Cousins Denny
notecatcher or graphic organizer for comparing past and present

Extension

Discussion Questions

  • What historical events were happening in our country that these women endured?
  • How did they persevere through difficult circumstances?
  • What were their successes? Failures?
  • What are specific ways they used their talents to help others?
  • What can you learn from these women to implement in your own life?
  • How can you see their impact today? 
  • What questions do you have?

Multimedia

Colorado Hall of Fame

Literacy

Aunt Clara Brown: Official Pioneer

book cover of Aunt Clara Brown: Official Pioneer