March is Women’s History Month, an annual observance to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. This month, the Salisbury Post is reflecting back on local figures of Women’s history to share how they helped shaped Rowan County into the place that it is today.

The latest figure is Rose Douglass Aggrey.

Aggrey’s lifetime body of work was extensive. She was an educator and advocate for social welfare, racial equality and community service. She held the positions of vice chairperson of the Salisbury Interracial Council and president of the North Carolina Federation of Negro Women’s Club, the latter of which, she also founded and edited the newsletter.

Education was at the core of many of Aggrey’s pursuits. She graduated from Shaw University in Raleigh and attended Columbia University in New York City. She taught English at Livingstone College and was a member of the Advisory Board of the Negro Corrections Schools, having been appointed by Governor Luther Hodges.

Her work and story was featured in the book “Gender and Jim Crow,” which was written by Glenda Gilmore.

At home, she was the wife of James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey, mother of four and grandmother of four. A street in Granite Quarry bears her name and a historical marker highlighting her achievements sits near their home at 700 W. Monroe St., Salisbury.

If you have a photo to share or a story to tell illustrating Women’s History Month, please email editor Chandler Inions at chandler.inions@salisburypost.com.