Sister Sandra Smithson and her sister Mary Craighead founded Middle Tennessee’s first free, public charter school, Smithson Craighead Academy (SCA) elementary school in 2003. Sister Sandra was also an integral part in passing the first charter school legislation for the State of TN. Currently, SCA serves 240 children every year from low-income families who reside in the Davidson County-area. Sister Sandra celebrated her 90th birthday this year and still continues to push her mission to “transform Urban America through education and policy…to save every child.” Her story is truly amazing and you can learn more by visiting www.projectreflect.org.
A little Nashville History is our continuing content series highlighting black excellence that contributed to so much of Nashville’s past and present history.
*photo credit: Project Reflect website
