Jewelia Higgins Garden and Marker Dedication Ceremony

The Charity’s Children Project, in partnership with Woodland Historic Cemetery and Arboretum, presents the Higgins Garden Dedication and installation of the Jewelia Galloway Higgins National Votes for Women Trail Historic Marker funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.
Jewelia Ann Galloway Higgins
1873–1955
Born in Dayton, Ohio, Jewelia Ann Galloway Higgins inherited a legacy rooted in early Black settlement, the Underground Railroad, and generations of activism. A descendant of Charity Davis Caesar Broady, among Dayton’s first Black settlers, Higgins carried forward a tradition of leadership that shaped her life’s work. A suffragist, humanitarian, and community organizer, Higgins served as one of the first, if not the first Black Red Cross nurse in Dayton. She played a pivotal role in advancing voting rights during a time of deep racial and gender discrimination.
Through her leadership in organizations such as the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs and the Women’s Christian Association (“Colored YWCA”), she expanded opportunities for Black women and families. Alongside her husband, Rev. Charles D. Higgins—a boyhood friend of Paul Laurence Dunbar— she helped build institutions that supported faith, education, and social justice in Dayton’s Black community. Her life reflects a continuum of service, resilience, and leadership—one that continues to inspire generations.
5:00 PM – Guest Arrival & Chapel Exhibit Viewing
Guests arrive and are welcomed into the Tiffany Chapel area, where they may view the pictorial exhibit prior to the formal program.
5:15 PM – Opening Program
Brief welcome and opening remarks inside the chapel area.
5:30 / 5:45 PM – Black History & Cemetery Tour
Guided walking tour highlighting historically significant individuals and sites, concluding at the Higgins Garden. There will be a brief garden dedication and unveiling of the Jewelia Galloway Higgins National Votes for Women Trail Historic Marker
Approximately 6:00 PM – Outdoor Social & Food Truck Gathering ( D’Lish Catering)
Guests return to the Tiffany Chapel area for fellowship, refreshments, and food truck service.
Tentative conclusion around 7:00 PM.