Adeline Cunningham:
A Testament to Strength, Survival and Legacy
History is often told through the lens of those in power, but voices like Adeline Cunningham’s demand to be heard. Born into slavery in 1852, she lived through some of the darkest chapters of American history, enduring inhumane conditions, forced labour and relentless cruelty on the Foley plantation in Lavaca County, Texas. The Foley family—plantation owners who amassed wealth from cotton, corn, cattle and hogs—treated human lives as commodities. Washington Greenlee Foley was known for purchasing enslaved individuals but never selling them, viewing them as property no different from livestock. His grandson, John Woods, was even more ruthless, refusing to grant any resources or opportunities for those who had been enslaved.
The Foley family, once prominent plantation owners in Lavaca County, Texas, has descendants who continue to honour and explore their complex heritage. In recent years, both Black and white descendants have come together to acknowledge their shared history. Notably, in April 2014, approximately 70 relatives gathered for a family reunion in Hallettsville, Texas, on the former Foley plantation grounds. This event included visits to ancestral gravesites and discussions about their intertwined lineage (Source: houstonchronicle.com).
These reunions have been instrumental in fostering understanding and reconciliation among family members. Through DNA testing and genealogical research, connections between the descendants of the Foley family and those enslaved on their plantation have been confirmed, leading to meaningful dialogues about their shared past. Today, the Foley descendants continue to engage in efforts to preserve their family history, maintain cemeteries and educate future generations about their complex legacy (Source: statesman.com).
But back to Adeline.
Her first-hand account paints a grim reality: families crammed into small, one-room cabins with dirt floors, food distributed in troughs, and even the simplest utensils like spoons replaced with oyster shells. Their lives were stripped of ownership, comfort, and dignity. The plantation functioned as a self-sufficient empire, forcing enslaved women to spin, weave, and produce clothing—not for themselves, but for the white families who controlled their existence. There were no personal belongings, no holidays, no freedom to practice their faith. Even praying was a punishable offense. Yet, despite the brutal punishments—public whippings, torture, and even execution—Adeline’s spirit, like so many others, remained unbroken.
The Legacy of Resilience in the Black Community
Adeline’s survival was not just a personal triumph—it was an act of defiance. She witnessed horror, endured systemic cruelty, and yet lived to tell her story. Her narrative serves as a painful reminder of how deeply embedded the scars of slavery are within American history. But it is also a testament to the strength, resilience, and unbreakable will of Black people. The fight for dignity did not end with emancipation—it continued through the generations, fuelling movements for civil rights, justice, and equality.
Arlene’s story is not just a painful recollection of the past—it is a mirror reflecting the struggles that still persist today. The forced labour, systemic oppression and outright brutality she endured were not isolated to the era of slavery; they evolved into new forms of racial injustice. The transition from the plantation to Reconstruction saw formerly enslaved individuals met with black codes, voter suppression, and economic barriers designed to keep them in a perpetual state of struggle. Generations later, policies such as redlining, mass incarceration and workplace discrimination have continued the legacy of structural inequality. But just as Adeline refused to be broken, the Black community has continued to resist, rebuild, and reclaim its rightful place in society.
The resilience displayed by Adeline and so many others is embedded in the DNA of Black history. Every victory—from the Civil Rights Movement to present-day advocacy for justice—has been hard-won through sacrifice, courage, and collective action. Her story reminds us that while progress has been made, the fight is far from over. It calls on us to educate, empower, and ensure that the injustices of the past are never repeated. Just as Adeline moved forward, determined to carve out a life of dignity and purpose, we too must push forward, preserving our history and using it as a foundation for lasting change.
Educate yourself and others – Read the narratives of formerly enslaved individuals like Adeline Cunningham to gain deeper insight into the realities of slavery. Their stories matter.
Honour their resilience – Acknowledge the struggles of the past, but also celebrate the strength, ingenuity, and power of the Black community today.
Speak up against injustice – Adeline’s story is a stark reminder that oppression thrives in silence. Use your voice to challenge modern systems of inequality and discrimination.
Build a lasting legacy – Whether through education, activism, or community engagement, contribute to creating a future where dignity, freedom, and justice are non-negotiable for all.
For the Black community, Adeline’s story speaks to the enduring struggle for liberation and self-determination. It reminds us that the fight for justice did not end in 1865. The systemic barriers that kept enslaved people powerless were replaced by Jim Crow laws, redlining, voter suppression, and economic inequality. Yet, just as Adeline moved forward and rebuilt her life in San Antonio, so too has the Black community continued to rise, despite every obstacle placed in its path.
Adeline Cunningham’s story is more than history—it is a reminder of the injustices that still exist today. While slavery has been abolished, the echoes of discrimination, unconscious bias, and systemic inequality continue to shape the world we live in. From DE&I efforts in workplaces to the ongoing fight against racial injustice, we must acknowledge that the lessons of the past are still relevant. Silence allows history to repeat itself, and we have a collective responsibility to ensure that the sacrifices of those who came before us were not in vain. We cannot afford to forget, dismiss, or ignore these stories—because they are not just about the past; they shape our present and determine our future.
Let Adeline’s legacy inspire us to challenge discrimination wherever it appears, to push for real inclusion beyond performative gestures, and to take an active stand against injustice. History belongs to those who remember, those who amplify the voices that were silenced for too long, and those who refuse to let oppression be rewritten or erased. It is our duty to speak up, to educate, and to act. Because if we do not take a stand now, we risk allowing the same patterns of inequality to continue. Let’s keep this conversation alive and ensure that the lessons of resilience, justice, and resistance are carried forward for generations to come.
What lessons from Adeline Cunningham’s life resonate with you the most? Let’s discuss in the comments!
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