Shaw University in Raleigh, NC has the first building ever established for the higher education of African American women in the United States.

Shaw University in Raleigh, NC has the first building ever established for the higher education of African American women in the United States.

In 1874, Shaw University, having already made progress as the one of the nation's first Historically Black Universities, opened Estey Hall for the higher education of African American women.

However, nearly a decade before the construction of Estey Hall on Shaw University's campus, Sarah Tupper (wife of Shaw University's founder, Henry Martin Tupper) began teaching classes to freed Black women at the Guion Hotel, alongside her husband's classes for the men.

Estey Hall is still standing, one of the historic landmark buildings on Shaw University's Campus, and a reminder of the important "firsts" accomplished by the university--first Historically Black college in the nation to offer a four-year medical program; first Historically Black college to be granted an "A" rating by the State Department of Public Instruction; and the first college in the nation to open its doors to educating African American women.

Today Etsy Hall is used by the president of Shaw University, Dr. Paulette Dillard's office and her administrative team.