Honoring Dr. Fannie Hewlett: A Trailblazer in Black History Month

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  This Black History Month, we honor trailblazers who broke down barriers and reshaped history. One such individual is Dr. Fannie Hewlett, whose name will forever be tied to Belmont University.

Dr. Hewlett’s journey began in a small Alabama town, where, after finishing junior college, she received a life-changing letter: a brochure from Belmont College. That letter would spark a new direction in her life.

“I knew when I got accepted that it was affirmation that this was supposed to happen,” Dr. Hewlett reflects. “It was a private Christian school, a Baptist school, and I was one of the first African American students in the class to be accepted.”

Despite the challenges she faced as an African American during that era, Dr. Hewlett’s time at Belmont was fulfilling. She remembers how the struggles of the outside world didn’t impact her college experience. “In spite of all the negativity happening around us, it didn’t filter into the college. It didn’t change who they were, what we were about, or how we were treated. We always felt it was a welcoming environment.”

In recognition of Dr. Hewlett’s historic impact, a building at Belmont University will soon bear her name, ensuring that her legacy will inspire generations to come. “It’s overwhelming to know that Belmont chose to honor me during Black History Month,” she says. “It’s amazing—it feels like one of those things that was meant to be.”

Dr. Hewlett’s journey continues to serve as an enduring source of inspiration for all those who strive to make their mark in history.