Tag: Black History
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Meet Elder Lillie Bell McLean, My Great-Grandmother
As 2015 draws to an end, we journey into a new year we leave many memories, both disappointments and accomplishments, behind. About two weeks before Thanksgiving, I received the news that my great-grandmother had fallen ill. If you are a follower of my blog, you know my dream was to spend the summer writing my family’s history…
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A Letter To Her Friend: Dear Johnnie
When I find a note one of the members of this family wrote, I always crack a smile. I smile because these letters reveal more than any census record, birth certificate, or newspaper article could ever show–their personality, their humor, and their love and at times hate for people. In this featured letter, Geraldine Wilson…
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A Leading Scholar on the Education of Black Children : An Intellectual Biography of Geraldine Wilson (Part I)
Geraldine Wilson in her college’s yearbook (Temple University), 1955 Geraldine Wilson (1931-1988) holds a special place in my heart. Her life reflected one of a phenomenal black woman who selflessly advocated for the rights of her people. Her resume and CV have spoken for themselves. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gerry, as she was…
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A Revisit of Her Father’s Marriages: Harry Flowers and Nancy Sawyer
To read about Harry’s first marriage, click here. Nancy Sawyer (b. 1873) Harry Flowers (b. 1845-6) Children–Chauncey Sawyer Flowers (b.1895), John Flowers (b.1898), Fred Flowers (b.1899), Rachel Helen Flowers (b. 1900), Theodore Flowers (b. 1903), Vincent Flowers (b. 1906), Gladyce (b. 1908), and Hilda Clifford Flowers (b. 1910) In the 1887 U.S. City Directory for…
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A Revisit of Her Father’s Marriages: Harry Flowers and Lydia Bradley
As I narrow down my thesis research project, I am revisiting multiple aspects of the Flowers family’s life. I have an entire wall devoted to this research in my apartment. Call me a nerd, I will happily say that I am; however, I find it much easier to visualize this project and connect the last…
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Thank you Viola Davis!
I held my breath last night waiting for the winner of the category ‘Lead Actress in a Drama Series’ to be announced. Honestly, I did not care if Viola or Taraji P. Henson won for regardless of who won, we won. A slight pause and they announced the winner of the category. Adrien Brody called…
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Part II: Interview Between Harry Belafonte and Geraldine Wilson
Part One can be found here. Harry Belafonte, Source Geraldine Wilson GW: Tell me about you and books as when you were a child, and you were reading. We have lots of teachers and our focus has been on books for children. One of the most important children’s book author is Shirley Graham’s brother, Lawrence Graham.…
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‘Day-O’: An Interview Between Harry Belafonte and Geraldine Wilson (Part 1)
Geraldine Wilson, date unknown When I first arrived at the Schomburg Center in 2013, I was full of many emotions. I was happy to research the Flowers family in such a prestigious archive, yet I was unsure of how to search through eighteen boxes of information in three days. Hours deep in Box 2 and 3…
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Bradley, Flowers, and Sams: A Blended Family
Lydia Bradley —/-— Harry Flowers Mary Samuel Josie Harry Flowers –/– Nancy Sawyer Chauncey Fred John Rachel Theodore Vincent Gladyce Hilda Nancy…
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Happy Birthday: An Open Letter to Mrs. Rachel Ellerbee (Flowers)
Rachel Flowers pictured at Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training Home (1916-18) Dear Rae, Happy birthday beautiful lady! You would have been 115 years old today. I meant 115 years young! It is strange to say that because I have only known you for three years and the only images I have of you are…
Diary of a Historian 