Article: Henrietta Bell Wells, 96, pioneering Wiley College debater.(CENSUS)(Obituary)(Brief article)

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Henrietta Bell Wells, 96, the Wiley College debater who served as the inspiration behind the lone female character in Denzel Washington's 2007 film The Great Debaters, died in Baytown, TX.

Bell Wells was the last surviving member on the 1930 Wiley College debate team. Melvin B. Tolson, her English teacher, encouraged her to try out for the team in which he served as its coach.

In the film The Great Debaters, Jurnee ...

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