Mossell, Gertrude Bustill
Gertrude Bustill Mossell (1855-1948)
Educator, journalist, novelist and feminist
Former Home Address: 1423 Lombard Street
(See place marker no. 7 on map)
Gertrude Mossell was an author whose articles appeared in numerous publications, including the Christian Recorder, Philadelphia Press, Philadelphia Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, New York Freeman, Indianapolis World, and New York Age. In 1894, she wrote The Work of the Afro-American Woman. Born in Philadelphia on July 3, 1855, she was the daughter of Charles H. and Emily Bustill, who were originally members of the Society of Friends, but later joined the Old School Presbyterian Church. Mossell was educated in the Philadelphia public schools, the Institute for Colored Youth, and the Robert Vaux Consolidated Grammar School. In 1893, she married Nathaniel F Mossell, founder of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital and Training School, and helped him raise $30,000 for the institution. Mossell also organized the Philadelphia branch of the National Afro-American Council and was active in many other organizations.
(From: Blockson, Charles L. Philadelphia's Guide: African-American State Historical Markers. Philadelphia: Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection / William Penn Foundation, 1992.)