Eliza Bryant

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Eliza Bryant
Eliza Bryant
Born	1827 North Carolina
Died	May 13, 1907 Cleveland, Ohio
Occupation	Humanitarian

Eliza Simmons Bryant (1827-May 13, 1907) was an American humanitarian. She was the daughter of a freed slave and helped former slaves as a benefactor after the American Civil War.

[edit] Early days

Eliza Bryant was born in North Carolina to Polly Simmons, a slave, and her master. She was raised on a plantation in Wayne County. In 1848, Polly Simmons was freed, and moved with her family to Cleveland, Ohio, where she purchased a home, with funds from her master.^[1] The Bryant family engaged in humanitarian work and provided shelter, food and water to black families. This occurred both prior to the Civil War as well as after the Civil War.

[edit] Humanitarian work

When she grew up, Eliza Bryant became a pioneer in the movement to assist African Americans in the Cleveland area, especially those who had moved from the southern states during the Great Migration after Emancipation Proclamation.^[2] She became particularly concerned for elderly African-Americans, who were tremendously suffering from the poor living conditions in Cleveland. The majority of these were freed slaves, with nothing given to them except their freedom. Because of racial segregation, the homeless shelters did not admit them, and as a result, it left these elderly black families with nowhere to turn.

In 1893, Eliza Bryant began the work of establishing a home for the aged blacks, with help from Sarah Green and Lethia Flemming. She sought help for her cause through churches, community groups, business community, friends and family. She recruited volunteers who went door to door to raise money, food and clothing. Because of her dedication, John D. Rockefeller made a financial contribution, which helped to enable the purchase of the first home. In January, 1895 a board of trustees was named for the proposed home. By 1896, enough funds were raised and a house was purchased for $2,000 with barely any necessities. The Cleveland Home for Aged Colored People was incorporated on September 1, 1896, and opened on August 11, 1897.^[1]

Eliza Bryant died in 1917, and is buried in a woodland cemetery.^[1] Over the years, the Cleveland Home received more funding and was able to supply the necessities to these people. In 1960, its name was changed to Eliza Bryant Home for the Aged, in honor of its founder. Later, in 1999, the name was changed to Eliza Bryant Village (EBV).^[3]