Trailblazing Black Women of Washington State
Journalists, suffragists and icons of activism
July 4, 2022 at 10:20 a.m.
The new book, "Trailblazing Black Women of Washington State" by Marilyn Morgan is now available
Dr. Dolores Silas was the first Black woman principal in the Tacoma School District and the first Black woman to serve on the Tacoma City Council. “She was also known for her style, especially her hats, claiming she had one for every outfit,” writes the author. (Courtesy Scott Breckinridge family / Reprinted from “Trailblazing Black Women of Washington State” by Marilyn Morgan, The History Press, 2022)
Maxine Mimms, left, poses with Chassity Holliman-Douglas at a Juneteenth celebration. Mimms was an influential educator in Seattle and Washington D.C. In 1982 she became the first Black woman in the state of Washington to found a four-year college when Evergreen State College’s Tacoma campus opened. She taught at Evergreen, and later served as executive director at the Tacoma branch campus until she retired at age 90. Photo courtesy Legacy Washington Exhibit / Reprinted from “Trailblazing Black Women of Washington State” by Marilyn Morgan, The History Press, 2022)
Fabienne “Fae” Brooks holds a long string of “firsts” in the King County Sheriff’s Department, including being the first Black woman to be a commissioned deputy. She retired as chief of its Criminal Investigation Division. One of her most memorable times was when she became one of the original detectives on the Green River Killer case. She currently consults for organizations around to world to develop policies for unbiased policing. Her husband Herbert retired as a captain for the Seattle Fire Department after 32 years of service. They have four children, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren (Courtesy Fae Brooks / Reprinted from “Trailblazing Black Women of Washington State” by Marilyn Morgan, The History Press, 2022)
Marilyn Morgan is an author, historian and photographer living in Seattle. Her published books include “Careers in Criminology” and” Seattle Historic Houses of Worship” She contributed to the “New York Past to Present Photo Tour.” Marilyn earned a BA degree from Virginia State University and a Documentary Production certificate from the University of Washington. She has worked for various media and organizations, including a Fortune 500 company. She loves writing, traveling and photographing the world.
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