year under my own instrnction. She was always a studious, faithful and intelligent scholar, her character always above criticism, and her deportment marked by a dignity, sobriety and respectfulness not common with girls of her age. She had a very successful experience as teacher in the service of the city, and should she wish to teach again I recommend her to you with entire confidence that she would do her work not only faithfully, but wisely and with the approval of yourself and School Board. Very respectfully, R. M. Manly.
Testimonials of a similar nature were written by the Superintendent of Schools, Col. E. M. Garnett, by his predecessor, Prof J. H. Peay, and by Miss M. E. Knowles and Messrs. H. G. Carlton and T. P. Crump, who had been her principals. With such indorsements as these it is not surprising that in a short while after the death of her husband she was again called to a teacher's place. She has since served nine years.
In all that concerns the best interests of her people Mrs. Bowser has taken an active part. She was an earnest member and supporter of the first colored educational society of Virginia, of which Prof J. W. Cromwell, of Washington, was President. As teacher in the Peabody Normal Institute held at Lynchburg, Va., in 1887, under President J. H. Johnston, she added no little to its success bv her excellent work as teacher of the model class. It is hardly necessary to say that she became a Christian in early childhood and that her life has been a true exponent of her profession. As a teacher in the Sunday-school she has on more than one occasion represented her school in the State Conventions. In the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Young Men's Christian Association, in missionary societies, in local literary societies, as president of the Woman's Educational Convention of
