03/20/2026
Henrietta Duterte (1817–1903) was a remarkable African-American entrepreneur, abolitionist, and philanthropist from Philadelphia. She is historically significant because she became the first woman in the United States to own and operate a mortuary (funeral home).
Key Facts About Henrietta Duterte
Born: July 1817 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Career: Funeral home owner (undertaker)
Activism: Abolitionist and supporter of the Underground Railroad
Legacy: First American woman mortuary owner and a supporter of Black community institutions
Why She Is Important
1. First woman mortuary owner in America
After her husband Francis A. Duterte died in the late 1850s, she took over the funeral business—an unusual and controversial role for a woman at that time.
2. Helped enslaved people escape slavery
Her funeral home secretly served as a station on the Underground Railroad. Some accounts say she helped fugitives escape by hiding them in coffins or disguising them in funeral processions to avoid slave catchers.
3. Successful Black businesswoman in the 1800s
Her mortuary became one of the most successful Black-owned businesses in Philadelphia, earning significant revenue during a time when opportunities for Black entrepreneurs—especially women—were extremely limited.
4. Community philanthropist
She donated money and support to several organizations, including:
The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas
The Philadelphia Home for Aged and Infirm Colored Persons
Freedmen’s Aid Society
These efforts helped formerly enslaved people and the Black community rebuild after the Civil War.
Legacy
Henrietta Duterte left a powerful legacy of Black entrepreneurship, courage, and activism. She proved that business leadership, social justice, and community service could go hand in hand—even during the 19th century when both race and gender barriers were severe.
