On Saturday, May 31, the community of Ferdinand, Indiana gathered to honor a remarkable Black woman whose life and work broke down barriers in pharmacy, public service and civil rights.
A new Indiana state historical marker commemorating Ida P. (Hagan) Whitaker was officially unveiled at the corner of 11th and Main streets, near the site of the Ferdinand Post Office and Dr. Alois Wollenmann’s Adler Apothak — places deeply connected to Whitaker’s legacy.
“(Whitaker) is just an exceptional role model,” said Kathy Tretter, president, editor and co-publisher of Dubois-Spencer Counties Publishing Co., Inc. “She faced all these obstacles.”
Born in 1888 in the Pinkston Settlement, a free Black community west of Ferdinand, Whitaker lived in a time when racial discrimination and gender inequality limited opportunities for many African Americans, especially women. Yet, her determination and talent allowed her to rise above those obstacles and leave a lasting mark on her community and state.
At age 16, Whitaker was appointed deputy postmaster of the Ferdinand Post Office by Dr. Alois Wollenmann, the town’s respected physician. This appointment made national headlines and was met with local resistance, but Whitaker’s strength and dedication earned her respect and admiration. By 1912, she served as acting postmaster, a position few Black women held during that era.
In addition to her work in public service, Whitaker pursued a career in pharmacy, earning her pharmacy license in 1909 after completing courses through Winona Technical Institute. Whitaker practiced pharmacy in Ferdinand, Indianapolis and Gary before eventually relocating to Detroit. There, she expanded her leadership role by becoming president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first African-American labor union to gain significant national recognition.
The ceremony celebrating Whitaker’s life was attended by Dr. John E. Clark, associate professor and director of Culture and Climate programs at the University of South Florida’s Taneja College of Pharmacy. Clark is a noted scholar and advocate whose research shines a light on the overlooked contributions of African Americans in pharmacy history.
His book, “Early Education of African American Pharmacists 1870-1975,” traces the educational journeys of Black pharmacists through decades of segregation and limited access. His work illuminates pioneers like Whitaker, who overcame barriers with determination and grace.
The Ida P. Hagan Whitaker marker is the fifth state historical marker installed in Dubois County. It stands as a testament to Whitaker’s remarkable impact and as an educational tool for residents and visitors who seek to understand the depth of Black history in Indiana.
“We are in difficult times because we are going backward with things like diversity,” Tretter said. “(Whitaker) didn’t even have diversity or equity backing for her. She did it despite the things that were there, and I think she should be held up as a banner for everyone who wants to achieve something that you can. You have to be persistent.”
The marker recognizes Whitaker’s professional achievements and highlights her role in advocating for civil rights and labor justice, particularly through her leadership with the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters’ Ladies Auxiliary in Detroit.
For those interested in learning more about the Indiana Historical Marker Program and the stories of other Hoosier pioneers, visit the Indiana Historical Bureau’s website at in.gov/history.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
