Our Black Hoosier Educators series will feature notable Black educators with ties to Indiana.

Hazel Hart Hendricks was born in 1884 to Henry & Sarah Hart. She was the second oldest of five daughters. Her family was full of talented musicians. Her dad was a well-known composer, singer, and violinist who performed for three presidents. Her mom was a pianist. Her sister Myrtle Hart was a famous harpist, described as the “only colored harpist” at one point in life. Due to their fair skin, the Hart children could pass as white. Myrtle Hart performed under the stage name Louise Kavanagh to pass as a white performer at times. Hazel was also musically inclined. She graduated from Butler University and became a music teacher. She eventually transitioned into the role of assistant principal of School 37. In 1927, she was promoted as principal of the school. Tragically, after over three decades as an educator, she died in a school bus accident in 1935. School 37 was named after Hendricks after her death.

Sources: African Americans in Indianapolis: A Story of a People Determined to Be Free by David Leander Williams, Indianapolis Recorder, September 14, 1935, Indianapolis Recorder, April 2, 1938, & Clark Kimberling, University of Evansville

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