Savannah considers Black people and women for city square to replace name of slavery advocate

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August 12th, 2023

A plaque marking the 1851 dedication of Calhoun Square in Savannah, Ga., is shown recessed into a walkway on Nov. 10, 2022. Savannah's city council had the marker and signs removed from the square when it voted to strip the honor to former U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun, who had been a vocal advocate for slavery. As the city council prepares to choose a new name, a list of recommended finalists includes the names of four Black people, a Native American tribe and a group of women. (AP Photo/Russ Bynum)

Nine months after leaders of Georgia’s oldest city stripped the name of a pro-slavery U.S. vice president from one of its public squares, nominees being considered for the green space’s new name include a Black woman who taught formerly enslaved people to read and write.

Susie King Taylor, who started a school for Black children and adults on the Georgia coast in 1862 with support from occupying Union soldiers, is among the finalists recommended for an honor Savannah hasn’t bestowed in 140 years: choosing a name to adorn one of the historic squares that are among the city’s signature features.

A pair of citizen advisory panels has submitted six names for Savannah’s city council to consider for a scheduled Aug. 24 vote on a new name for the square. In a big break with the city’s past, none of the finalists are white men.

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