Laura Spelman Rockefeller

Laura Celestia "Cettie" Spelman Rockefeller (September 9, 1839 – March 12, 1915)

Laura's father Harvey was an abolitionist who was active in the Congregationalist Church, the Underground Railroad, and in politics. The Spelmans eventually moved to Cleveland. Laura had an elder adopted sister, Lucy Maria "Lute" Spelman (c. 1837–1920). Laura was the valedictorian of her graduating class at Central High School in Cleveland at the age of 14.

Personal life and career In Cleveland, Lute and Laura Spelman met John Davison Rockefeller while attending accounting classes together. He was the eldest son of William Avery "Bill" Rockefeller (1810–1906) and Eliza Davison (1813–1889).

Laura Spelman later attended Oread Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts and planned to become a schoolteacher. After moving to Ohio to teach, she married John Rockefeller in 1864. After the wedding, Spelman remained active in the church (she joined Rockefeller's congregation, the Northern Baptists) and with her family. As the family business, Standard Oil, began to thrive, she further devoted her time to philanthropy and her children.

They were the parents of five children: Elizabeth ("Bessie") (August 23, 1866 – November 14, 1906), Alice (July 14, 1869 – August 20, 1870), Alta (April 12, 1871 – June 21, 1962), Edith (August 31, 1872 – August 25, 1932), and John Jr. (January 29, 1874 – May 11, 1960).

Throughout their lives, the Rockefeller family continued to donate ten percent of their income to charity, including substantial donations to Spelman College, founded to educate Black women.

Legacy John D. Rockefeller established the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Fund. He donated large amounts to the fund and charitable organizations then shifted his focus to giving to social sciences. Spelman College was named after Laura Spelman Rockefeller due to her significant financial contribution to the institution. Throughout her life, she was dedicated to social and educational causes, particularly for women and African Americans.