The Andrew Jackson Elementary School in South Philadephia is going to be renamed the Fanny Jackson Coppin School (the two Jacksons were not related).
Fanny Jackson Coppin, was born a slave. She graduated from Oberlin College and went on to become the principal of the Institute For Colored Youth, in Philadelphia. She is the first African American woman to become a school principal. Coppin State University is also named for her.
Jackson Coppin, who died in 1913, is buried at Merion Memorial Park in Bala Cynwyd
In addition to Fanny Jackson Coppin, other famous and notable people buried at Merion Memorial include composer James Bland (“Carry Me Back to Old Virginny”), Mississippi bluesman Skip James (“I’m So Glad”), Pennsylvania State Representative and civil rights advocate, Dave Richardson, jazz organist, Jimmy Smith and Middleweight contender, Gypsy Joe Harris.