LEGACY


NAMING OF THE SCHOOL


Paige Academy is named for Lucy Paige Williams(1876 - 1965). She was the Executive Director's Dr. Angela Paige Cook maternal great grand aunt Known by all in her Richmond, Virginia community as a person ready to answer questions and share a wealth of knowledge, Lucy Paige Williams formed the "schools of benevolence" in her own home; teaching turn of the century adults and children the education and life skills needed to overcome the oppression they faced.

Lucy Paige Williams lived in Richmond, Virginia from 1876 to 1965.  She was one of the links in the long road-work of helping children and society in general to reach for positive self. 

At the turn of the century Lucy Paige Williams established the “schools of benevolence,” where children and adults were taught many of the skills they needed to confront the oppression they faced in daily life.

Later in her life she was known by all the children in her neighborhood as a person ready to answer questions and share a wealth of knowledge – from how to make natural dyes, crochet, knit, and to sing lullabies.

Lucy Paige Williams was a stern but kind and loving person who was admired and loved by her friends and family.  Her linkage ancestrally is with Angela Paige Cook, Founding Director of Paige Academy.

Angela Paige was named after her great-aunt Lucy by her mother, Gwendolyn Antoinette Johnson Brooks. 

Historically the naming of someone or something is a universal tradition that express a hope that the spirit and essence of that being is be given new life and energy for a next generation.  In passing along a name it is hoped that all the positive attributes and strengths of the person will remain alive, helping the named person (namesake) to do their best they can in whatever area or direction they want to go.
Paige Academy values this tradition and recognizes Lucy Paige Williams for the love and understanding she gave at the turn of the century with her establishment of “Schools of Benevolence.” 


Paige Academy aims to continue building self-worth in the lives of children during this century.