Mrs. Thelma DeWittig, January 18, 1973

@ Washington State University. Library. Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections

DeWittig, Thelma

Description

Oral history interview with Mrs. Thelma DeWittig of Seattle, Washington.TAPE 1, SIDE A: 0 - 4 She came to Seattle from Texas in 1947 to do graduate work at University of Washington. She was an only child. Schooling in Texas. Family background. Talks about her teaching in Texas. 4 - 7 The black church in Seattle. Communists organizations. NAACP and the Urban League were connected with the church. 7 - 10 Travelling on the train first-class from Dallas. Problems with discrimination. 10 - 14 Other black organizations she worked with. Clubs in the area. More blacks lived in the central area. Not many owned property; most blacks weren't born in Seattle. 14 - 17 Black businesses in Seattle. Black undertaker did a good job. She and her husband lived in a large mansion in Seattle that another woman owned. Church club meetings in the house. 17 - 21 Problem with a woman who thought the first black teacher in the area should have been from Seattle. 21 - 24 Teaching in the Seattle area. Not many blacks went to college. 24 - 30 Discrimination towards her while at the University of Washington. A black had never taught a white child in Seattle. Recommendations for her first job. TAPE 1, SIDE B: 0 - 3 More about teaching. Clothing styles in the 40's. She was always "smartly dressed." Other blacks who dressed well. 3 - 6Sports activities that blacks participated in. Entertainment included private parties and dances. Blackwell was a famous...

Type:

Sound

View Original At:

http://content.libraries.wsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/5985/id/71