Artemisia Bowden

Artemisia Bowden, first President and Dean of St. Philip's College Artemisia Bowden (January 1, 1879 – August 18, 1969) was an American school administrator and civil rights activist. She is most notable for her role in the founding and operation of St. Philip's College in San Antonio, Texas.

Early life Artemisia Bowden was born in Albany, Georgia to former slaves Milas and Mary Bowden. In her early life, Artemisia Bowden grew up in Brunswick, Georgia. Bowden later attended St. Augustine's Normal School in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she graduated in 1900. She also began a campaign to have the San Antonio School Board assume fiscal responsibilities but was rejected several times. but also for her leadership and success in civic and welfare projects for African Americans in greater San Antonio.

Bowden received an honorary degree from both Wiley College in 1935 and Tillotson College in 1952 for her civic work. In 1955 Zeta Phi Beta sorority named her woman of the year. The National Council of Negro Women awarded Bowden as "one of the ten most outstanding women educators in the United States."

Artemisia Bowden's legacy lives on today and is honored by San Antonio Independent School District's Bowden Academy, the Saint Artemisia Bowden Center of Excellence at St. Philip's College, the Bowden Legacy Building at St. Philip's College, and the University of Incarnate Word's Bowden Eye Care and Health Center. In 2015, she was elevated to sainthood in the Episcopal Church with August 18 as her Feast Day. She was named President Emeritus by Alamo Colleges District.