Edwina Kruse (February 22, 1848 – June 23, 1930) was an American educator, born in Puerto Rico.

[8][9][10] Among the Howard students during her time as principal were civil rights lawyer Louis L. Redding and teacher and activist Pauline A.

[4] She was one of the organizers of Wilmington's branch of the NAACP in 1914,[16] and hosted an early meeting of the group in her home.

[17] Kruse had a longtime personal relationship with writer Alice Dunbar-Nelson,[18] [19] who taught at Howard High School.

[20] Kruse mentored a girl from Trinidad, Etta A. Woodlen, who became a music teacher at Howard High School.