SAN DIEGO — A hard-fought battle to rename a San Diego elementary school finally has a resolution.
What was once Clay Elementary, named for a 19th-century congressional representative and slaveholder, will move forward with a new identity
This community-led battle to rename Henry Clay Elementary School in Rolando stretches back more than two years. The new name chosen may be familiar to many San Diegans.
Dr. Bertha Pendleton
With unanimous support, what used to be Henry Clay Elementary in Rolando will now be named after San Diego's first African-American and first female schools superintendent: Dr. Bertha Pendleton.
Dr. Pendleton was born in the segregated South and distinguished herself as a trained scientist and passionate educator. She served as superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District from 1993 to 1998.
"Dr. Bertha Pendleton represents the things that we want to see in our children and in our schools,' said SDUSD school board Trustee Sharon Whitehurst Payne.
This name change is a long time in coming, as community members led the charge to replace its original namesake, Henry Clay: a 19th-century statesman and slave holder whose work preserved slavery in the American South.
"That name is not a name that we're proud to have our kids attend," said Board Trustee Richard Barrera.
The chosen name, Dr. Bertha Pendleton, was one of a long list of suggested contenders, which also included distinguished African-American scholar and writer bell hooks, which many community members had supported.
"I thought that bell hooks would be a great person for our school name because she was an activist who fought for love and equality and I think our school represents that," said nine-year-old Sadie, who attends the school.
Community-led effort
Earlier this month, many community members railed against the original proposed replacement: Rolling Hills Leadership Elementary, with supporters of this name change emphasizing the need for this change to be restorative.
"To see bell hooks and Dr. Pendleton to emerge as the best candidates is incredible progress and it shows the Board's commitment to creating a restorative district for all children," said parent Jerrod Tucker. "I urge you to keep on this path for future re-namings."