Prince William County, Virginia (January 11, 1860 – June 8, 1933) age 73 yrs

Emma Frances Grayson Merrit was an African American educator who founded the kindergarten first for African American children in 1897. Throughout her career, she devoted her energies and great talents to improving the quality of instruction. She introduced imaginative techniques of teaching. These approaches were considered revolutionary at the time. Merritt was director of primary instruction in the District of Columbia in 1898. She was also a member of the Executive committee of the District of Columbia branch of the NAACP. Additionally, she served on the executive board of the Southwest Settlement Society. Merritt was the financial chairman at the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA.