A Quaker author chat. Lynette Love’s article, “Led by God to Help Educate Freedmen,” appears in the August 2025 issue of Friends Journal.
In this conversation, Lynette Love discusses the life and impact of Cornelia Hancock, a Quaker nurse during the Civil War, and her contributions to education for freed slaves in South Carolina. Lynette shares insights into the history of the Lang School, its evolution, and the challenges faced by educators in the post-war era. The conversation also touches on the recent controversies surrounding Lynette’s book, which has been targeted for its content on American history, highlighting the importance of remembering and teaching the full narrative of the past.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Lynette Love and Her Work
00:51 The Impact of Cornelia Hancock
05:34 Cornelia’s Journey to South Carolina
09:03 Establishing the Lang School
11:30 Evolution of the Lang School
13:37 Controversy Surrounding Lynette’s Book
21:06 Legacy of Education and Community Action
Lynette Love grew up in the South Carolina Lowcountry in the Old Village in Mount Pleasant. She is a graduate of a Laing School, just like her mother and other family members for several generations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from North Carolina Central University, is a lover of history, and has published a Bible study on John 14–17.
What a powerful feature on Lynette Love! Your conversation in the Friends Journal shines a necessary light on the enduring impact of educators like Cornelia Hancock—whose work after the Civil War helped lay the foundations for schooling and empowerment in freed-people’s communities. Your dialogue brings rich historical texture and personal legacy into focus while also nudging readers to remember that teaching is both moral mission and practical action. Thanks for bringing this story to the forefront.