Abstract
“Under the Foil and the Striving,” published in a collection of Poems in 1925, was penned by Sarah Collins Fernandis (1863-1951), one of many Black and unsung hymnists, whose productive life covered eighty-eight years. Her hymns of discipleship, mission, and social justice evolved from the core of religious fervor that inspired her energy as a hymnist, poet, community activist, and a teacher. Like many persons of her era who accepted opportunities to pursue a graduate education, Fernandis engaged in activities that affirmed the importance of Christian discipleship and intellectual pursuit. She was an alumna of
Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), who graduated while the founder of that institution was still serving as “principal,” the position later titled “president.”