Rosa Kinckle Jones

She was one of the first 10 women who graduated from the Normal School of Howard University, and she headed Hartshorn Memorial College's music department for 40 years,[1] being one of only two African American faculty members.

[4] Jones attended the public school of that city until 1877, when she left for Howard University, from which she graduated with honor in 1880.

[6] Jones was well-read and cultured, having "a voice of unusual compass",[7] and was an excellent teacher of vocal music; but it is as a pianist that she was especially distinguished.

Jones was possessed of natural ability in the musical line, but in addition to this, she had excellent instruction from competent teachers from early childhood, continuing the study in the city of Washington, D.C., finally taking a course in harmony at the New England Conservatory of Music.

[8] Outside of her work at Hartshorn, Jones was the president of the Maggie Walker's Woman's Union Beneficial Department which was committed to "financial protection and opportunities for women and their families.