Dr. George Washington Coffey
Dr. Coffey was an early African American physician in Gadsden, Alabama. Born in Florence, Alabama in 1872 as the son of formerly enslaved parents, he defied society’s expectations through seeking higher education and then uplifting his community.
Howard University nurtured his growth in scientific knowledge as well as instilling him with confidence. Denver, Colorado, where he lived from 1904 to 1906, fostered his sense of pride as an African American man. From 1910 until his death in 1952, he served the people of Gadsden as a physician.
Evidence shows him weaving the lessons from Howard and Denver into his Alabama community in various community activities that lay groundwork for the later Civil Rights Movement. An analysis of primary records and other sources uncovers his storied life, threaded with perseverance amidst segregation and racism to carve his own path.
In his own words of wisdom, he says:
“Be yourself, be real, be what you will or may, but first of all be yourself and the world will like you better for it,” (Coffey, 1905).
Dr. G.W. Coffey
An undated photo of Dr. George Washington Coffey.
Photo courtesy of Grace Heritage Community Development; Gadsden, Alabama.
Rediscovered office
Watch this video, taken during the discovery of Dr. Coffey's medical practice office, which had been sealed for 70 years as a result of segregation.
It was once located at 310 1/2 and 312 1/2 Broad Street in the thriving African American business district of Gadsden, Alabama. Because of racism and Jim Crow Laws, the stairway had been demolished to prevent whites from using it.
Over the years, the space was forgotten about. But during the renovation of the building, the historic space was rediscovered.
Read an article about its discovery.
Video footage courtesy of Grace Heritage Community Development;
Gadsden, Alabama