OBSCURE FIELDS OF DIVERSITY DOES NOT MEAN THESE YOUNG LADIES GET NEGLECTED LOST OR FORGOTTEN EVER

MARY EDMONIA "WILDFIRE" LEWIS SCULPTOR 1ST NATION-HAITIAN/AMERICAN 4-7-1844(NEW YORK STATE USA) to 17-9-1907(HAMMERSMITH LONDON ENGLAND

) Wildfire was born in East Greenbush, Albany, Rensselaer County, New York State. Her mother Catherine from Canada was 1st Nation ojibwa-Chippewa heritage, she crafted hand-made souvenirs(moccasins woven baskets trinkets) to sell to tourists; her father Samuel was Haitian, he was a gentlemans' servant; she had an older brother whose name was Sunrise, his Christian name was Samuel. Wildfire was orphaned at 9, raised a catholic by 2 aunts that lived by Niagra Falls. The young girl was fulfilling a promise to her dying mother, agreeing to spend 3 years with the Chippewas, to learn of her heritage/culture. During this time she crafted/sold baskets/moccasins/trinkets to tourists, just as her mother did. It was at the age of 12 things changed for Wildfire, her older brother Sunrise/Samuel had gone off to California to the gold rush there, was lucky enough to strike a vein and come away rather wealthy. So it was he that played a vital role in her formal education, with his finances he sent her to school. Wildfire attended a school run by Catholic African nuns, it was here she was christened Mary Edmonia Lewis, the classes included drawing, Latin, French, public speaking. After graduating at the convent school, Edmonia gained admission to Oberlin College, Ohio-1859(aged 15), where her artistic endeavours flourished but all too soon came to a stop! The college was clear in its stance on segregation, it was the 1st school to accept women, then to allow the mix of ethnicity; but still the institution was still plagued by bigotry/racism. The women were still taught a different curriculum to men, even for the same subjects/course material. Edmonia 1 of the few 1ST Nation/Caribbean students on campus, had to endure the bitter rivalry, be confronted with the daily discrimination from all the other supposed colleagues. During her term at the college she boarded with the abolitionist/school trustee John Keep, even so Edmonia was accused of trying to poison fellow classmates who resided in the same home. It all started on Monday 27-1-1862, when 2 of Edmonias' white housemates declared, they were going out on an unchaperoned sleigh ride, with their boyfriends. Edmonia made them a hot drink with some "Spanish Fly" as it was Winter, they both fell ill then claiming Edmonia had tried to poison them. At the trial her attorney was John Mercer Langston(abolitionist diplomat), Edmonia was acquitted declared innocent, found not guilty of the incident, yet her struggles continued. The conflict/abuse continued unbounded/unabated, the young Edmonia had no-one to stand with her against all the ill-will she received. Edmonia was tyrannised even to the point of a near-death experience, she became the victim of a kidnapping/physical battering driven by a hate-filled/racist/bigot driven male mob, who left her frail, little body, badly injured in a nearby frozen field, in the Winter of 1862. Even after all this debasement, she still had to endure the false accusations of stealing art equipment/supplies from the college; infuriatingly Edmonia never graduated from Oberlin College, despite the theft charges being dismissed, the college asked her to leave-1863. Edmonia then travelled to Boston, where with the help of her brother conveying the cost of the rent, for a studio in an artists commune, she connected with Africa/American Tonal painter Edward M. Bannister, abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, also the sculptor Edward Brackett, where she started to train seriously as a sculptor, with his guidance. At ~20 years of age, Edmonia staged her 1st solo exhibition concentrating on busts of celebrated slavery abolitionists. It is here with the sales of her busts of John Brown-abolitionist, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw-white commanding officer of the all-African American Civil War 54th Regiment-she could emigrate to Europe. So at ~22 Edmonia sailed to London, then onward to Paris, Florence, then Rome, finally settling in the capital of Italy during the Winter of 1865/66. Here Edmonia rented a studio just off Piazza Barberini, City Centre, situated on the Quirinal Hill. Italy posed many new ventures/opportunities for Edmonia, almost falling instantly into a sisterhood of expatriate US/UK artists there, which included Charlotte Cushman-US actress; Harriet Hosmer-US sculptor; Emma Stebbins-US sculptor; John Gibson-sculptor Welsh; (possibly knew Elizabeth/Robert Browning-because of their association with Harriet Hosmer) who were fighting for equal status as their male counterparts. Edmonia Lewis became a popular sculptor in Rome, where she found greater freedom to study, work, exhibit. She was a very distinctive figure in Roman society for 2 reasons : her 1st Nation/Haitian physical attributes; the fact she only stood 4 foot tall-48inches-121.92cms. Around this time the Marquess of Bute admired Edmonias work, and bought several large pieces of her work-February 1869. Also in 1869 Edmonia returned to the States, sailing on the Cunard liner SS Tripoli at the age of 23, she sailed from Liverpool, England, arrived in New York City, on Tuesday 1-6-1869. She did go to Niagra Falls to visit her aunt, to see her large extended maternal family, also spent time with her older brother Samuel. Speaking to The New York Times-29-12-1878 Edmonia had this to say. "I was practically driven to Rome, in order to obtain the opportunities for art culture and, to find a social atmosphere where I was not constantly reminded of my colour." Edmonia also at some time during a discourse with the same newspaper, not necessarily the same time stated that. "The land of liberty was not inclined to be that at all." The opportunity to accurately depict Henry Longfellow, sprung-up when the sitters brother wandered into Edmonias' studio in Rome, he was so impressed with the sculpture Edmonia had been making from a distance, he got his poet-brother to sit for the young lady, as Henry was staying in a studio above Edmonias' shop. A writer for the London-based publication Art- Journal recounted. "the truest and finest likeness of the poet I had ever seen." With his words Henry Longfellow had already worked his magic, becoming Edmonias' muse when she sculpted Hiawatha from his poem, "The Song of Hiawatha." This also gave the young lady the chance to explore her own 1st Nation culture/heritage in some depth. With all her marble work unlike her male counterparts, she refused to hire local marble carvers to complete her work, she with great satisfaction finished all her own pieces, so she could display her own unique/unmistakable/undeniable flourish and authentic talent. In 1876, The statue was aboard the liner SS City of Chester, leaving foreign shores Monday 1-5-1876, arriving in New York City, Saturday 3-6-1876. At The Centennial Exhibition, Philadelphia, Edmonias' "The Death of Cleopatra," had been offered as an exhibition piece, it was 5.5 foot tall, weighing a colossal 3000 pounds, of white shimmering marble; it was accepted and its placement ordered to appear in Gallery K, The Memorial Hall(reserved for American displays); it stirred up a lot of interest; it had taken 4 years to create the masterpiece-using 2 ton of Carrara marble. The art world had not seen such a realistic portrayal/depiction of the dead queen, slumped in her throne. The life-size effigy being admired/criticised in equal amounts, for its "grotesque realism." At the end of the exhibition the sculpture had not been sold/was considered to heavy to return to its owner, so was locked away. The sculpture was resolute/pristine at the time of incarnation, but got ignored soon afterwards. But in the intervening years it got lost/abused/forgotten. 2 years later it reappeared at The 1878 Chicago Interstate Industrial Exposition, as a showpiece again, where it did find a buyer. It had been used as a centrepiece in a saloon in Clark Street, Chicago. It had been used by "Blind John" Condon(race-track owner gambler) as a grave marker for his favourite filly named "Cleopatra." The sculpture stood right in-front of the crowd at Forest Park Race Track, Harlem, New York City. Over the intervening years, the race track had been demolished having morphed into (i) a golf course (ii) a Navy munitions site (iii) bulk mail centre, still Cleopatra stood a silent observer to all of this. She even had Boy Scouts paint her to cover the graffiti she had accumulated over the years. Finally in 1988, "The Death of Cleopatra" was rediscovered in a salvage yard, by a very observant fire inspector. That same year the salvage yard gave the statue to The Forest Park Historical Society finally discovered in the 1980s, in a shopping mall gaudily painted, very badly damaged. The life-size work needed much conservation, to put it back to its original splendour, but now stands in pride of place in a permanent home at The Smithsonian Institute(I will expand more fully on the discovery of the statue at the end of the biography). In 1878, she sculpted the former president Ulysses S. Grant, who is believed to have sat for her in Rome. 1 of the last reliable accounts of her life was disclosed by Frederick Douglass(abolitionist social reformer), who visited her in Rome with his wife-1887, then Edmonia accompanied them both to Naples, recording the moment in his diary. By 1893 Edmonia had moved to, was living in Paris, France, still working on her sculptures. Then in 1896, her dear brother Samuel dies in Bozeman, Montana, leaving his sister a sum of money. Then in September 1898 Edmonia visited upstate New York, the year after 1899, Edmonia paid a visit to Chicago, Illinois in the Spring, perhaps her last visit to her own country. Then in 1901 Edmonia moved to England settling in and around the capital. Finding harmony 1st at 4a Earls Court Road, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, London SW5 9QF(views at the turn of the century 19th to 20th century : farrells.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Shaping-West-London.pdf). Then Edmonia moved to her final home at 154 Blythe Road, Brook Green, Hammersmith, London W14 0HD; a terraced 4 storey townhouse near to Olympia. Edmonia lived her last years quietly in Hammersmith, a staunch Catholic she regularly attended Our Lady of Victories Church, Kensington, a half mile walk from her home(if you would like to see the church, prior it it being destroyed in WW II this is the site to go to : british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol42/plate-149) . Edmonia died in the Hammersmith infirmary in Goldhawk Road. The cause of death was Brights Disease-a kidney inflammation at 63. Miss Mary Edmonia WildFire Lewis is buried at : St. Marys R.C. Cemetery, Kensal Green, Brent, Greater London. This grave was unmarked until 2017, until the American historian Roberta Reno reclaimed it-marking with a black marble stone-it is now PLOT 350C(see before/after grave here : hyperallergic.com/434881/edmonia-lewis-grave/). Memorial ID : 8757543. Newspaper cuttings are very few but ! (1) The Guardian Sunday 10-10-2021 Feted, forgotten, redeemed : how Edmonia Lewis made her mark. A bust rediscovered in a Scottish stately home has sparked fresh interest in the black pioneering US sculptor. A bust by the first female black American, to work as a professional sculptor went on show in the UK last week, after languishing in a cupboard at a stately home for more than a 100 years. The work, a bust of Christ was created by Edmonia Lewis in Rome in 1870. The bust was bought soon after its creation by the 3rd Marquess of Bute, John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, who was an admirer of Lewis' work. "It ended up in a china cupboard and there it remained until 2015," says the marquess' great-great-granddaughter Sophie Crichton-Stuart. (2) The Chicago Tribune Monday 20-6-1988 by Ron Grossman Headline : 2 SAVIORS VIE FOR CLEOPATRA "Don't be fooled by your textbooks silence," Marilyn Richardsons' father used to tell her. "Black folks have a history too. We just have to go out and find it." Last month Richardson made her dad proud. In a storeroom of the Forest Park Mall, she found a long-lost work of Edmonia Lewis, the first black American to win international renown as an artist. It was a bittersweet discovery. "The Death of Cleopatra," a life-sized sculpture was surrounded by last years Christmas decorations and paint cans. Richardson said Frank Orland, head of the local history society, who had led her to the sculpture, told her that the statue needed "renovating" so it could be put on public view. The Egyptian queens' white marble face and arms were to be redone in flesh tones, her robe in royal purple, she said Orland told her. Orland, who also was seeking further information on the work, had taken charge of it two years ago. Orland refused to comment on his plans or to allow a photograph of the sculpture to be taken. In a phone interview, he said only, "The Queen is not ready to receive visitors." He added that he would tell his side of the story, in a forthcoming pamphlet, "Cleopatra the Great : Statue of Forest Park." "I was excited and heartsick both. Staring me straight in the face was an important piece of black history, which had been missing for 100 years. Only it was to be lost again, this time by being buried under inappropriate coats of house paint." ~1910/11 the race track was being converted into a golf -course. Then in 1942 it was converted into a Naval Ordnance Plant which was decommissioned in 1971. Then the Post Office inherited the land, where the Edmier Construction Company turned it into The Chicago Bulk Mail Centre, it was they that originally hauled the statue from its lengthy location. The sculpture then stood half-buried on the storage yard of a Cicero Firm + its successor Kucera Excavating Company, until it caught the eye of a fire chief doing a routine inspection. "Believe me, I'm just a simple layman. But the minute I saw her, I knew that statue was something special. She was like a big white ghost laying out there between all that heavy machinery and, crying out to be saved." Commented Harold Adams, a retired Cicero firefighter. For 10 years Adams led a crusade on Cleopatras' behalf. With the help of his sons scout troop they moved the statue to higher ground then cleaned it. "There was graffiti on her breast. So me and the boys gave her a coat of latex outside white, so she'd look decent until someone came along who'd know better what to do for her." From time to time local newspapers carried notices of Adams' cause, eventually it was spotted by the Forest Park Historical Society, they adopted Cleopatra, moved her to the shopping mall, adjoining the bulk mail centre. "The Queen of the Nile Sails Home to Forest Park," read the headline over the article written by the societys' president, in the Forest Park Review. The article announced that his groups' intention to return the sculpture to the site where it long stood. Orland also asked New York Metropolitan Museum of Art about the sculptor, whose signature was carved in the back and, if there might be a photo to guide the statues restoration. By a fortunate coincidence the staff member whose desk Orlands letter landed, recalled an authors' query Richardson had placed in the New York Times Book Review seeking information on Lewis and her works. "The museum gave me Orlands number, so I got on an airplane, flew to O' Hare and knocked on his door." Richardson said. Reluctantly Orland let Richardson have a peek inside the malls storeroom. "When I questioned his plans for the work, he told me that a monument carver from a nearby cemetery was his consultant for the restoration." Richardson said expressing her hope that the statue be restored to its original condition, displayed properly, whether in Forest Park a museum elsewhere." Orland countered with. "Who is she to come out here and tell us what to do? This is Forest Park we know what we're doing here."((I hardly think so, a dentist with a bunch of amateurs contaminating a serious work of art)) "I don't doubt his sincerity. It's just that he looks at Cleopatra as part of Forest Park history. Somehow, somebodys got to make him realise that sculpture is more than that. It's a priceless piece part of every Americans' artistic heritage. ((the 2 people involved in that article are Marilyn Richardson-African/American art specialist Dr. Frank Ormond-dentist/president of Forest Park Historical Society)) (at this site you can view her sculptures and a photo of Edmonia. artuk.org/discover/stories/who-was-edmonia-wildfire-lewis) There is to be a new stamp released by The United States Postal Service on 26th January 2022 value : 58 cents. The stamp art is based on : a photograph of Edmonia taken by Augustus Marshall in Boston, between 1864-1871. It pays tribute to Miss Mary Edmonia "Wildfire" Lewis. The celebrated 1st Nation/Haitian Sculptor of the 19th century. It will be unveiled/debuted at Smithsonian American Art Museum on the day of issue(see the stamp at : theartnewspaper.com/2022/01/05/new-usps-stamp-celebrates-edmonia-lewis) To finish a few quotes from the lady herself. (1) "I have a strong sympathy for all women who have struggled and suffered." (2) "There is nothing so beautiful as the free forest. To catch a fish when you are hungry, cut the boughs of a tree, make a fire to roast it, and eat it in the open air, is the greatest of all luxuries. I would not stay a week pent up in cities, if it were not for my passion for art." quoted in the National Anti-Slavery Standard 27-2-1864. (3) "Some praise me because I am a coloured girl and, I don't want that kind of praise, I had rather you would point our my defects, for that will teach me something." (4) "Why I am invited everywhere, and am treated just as nicely as if the bluest of blue blood flowed through my veins. I number among my patrons the Marquis of Bute, Lady Ashburton and other members of nobility."(~1869 when the Marquis purchased Edmonias "Bust of Christ," + an altarpiece of The Madonna paying about $3,000. But the altarpiece is now "Lost")

DOCTOR MAY EDWARD CHINN DOCTOR-PHYSICIAN 1ST NATION/HAITIAN 15-4-1896 to 1-12-1981 1926 : THE 1ST NATIVE AMERICAN/HAITIAN WOMAN TO HOLD AN INTERNSHIP AT HARLEM HOSPITAL; 1ST WOMAN TO RIDE WITH THE HARLEM HOSPITAL AMBULANCE; 1ST NATIVE AMERICAN/HAITIAN WOMAN TO GRADUATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY + BELLEVUE HOSPITAL MEDICAL COLLEGE) May was born in Great Barrington , Massachusetts. Her mother Lulu Ann Evans, was the daughter of a 1st Nation Chickahominy slave, from the Chickahominy peoples reservation in Norfolk, Virginia. Her father was William Lafayette Chinn(from the Cheyne Plantation)-the son of a slave, as well as a slave himself; his mother was enslaved/his father the plantation owner; he migrated north after escaping aged 11 from the plantation in Lancaster, Virginia(see how the slaves were treated back in the day : loc.gov/item/2018664120/Wilson-Chinn-branded slave-from-Louisiana). In 1899 Mays family moved to a 1-room apartment in New York City. May grew-up in New York City, her education started with a downtown kindergarten, then on to the Bordentown Manual Training + Industrial Boarding School, in New Jersey. May was 5 years old then, after a year she contracted osteomyelitis of the jaw(an infectious inflammatory disease of the bone), with all good intentions the school tried teaching her, even sending the work to her bedside, but in the end she was sent home. May had 9 surgeries due to this disease, which left her self-conscious about a small depression it left on the side of her face. At the time Lulu was working as a live-in cook on the Irvington estate of Charles Tiffany(jewellery magnate), in Tarrytown, Greenburgh, Westchester County, New York City, so that is where May went. Through the Tiffanys' May received a good secondary education, where she also learnt German/French, music(piano) lessons, treated like 1 of their own children, she went with them to concerts, live music shows and other cultural experiences(pay a visit to this site for glorious photos of Doctor May. : explore.berkshiremuseum.org/digital-archive/legendary-locals/may-edward-chinn). May enjoyed playing the piano in church/classical music all through her life; on her return to New York City with her mother, May gave piano lessons to kindergarteners; she even played concerts for African/American soldiers in WW I. In the early-1920s, May even accompanied Paul Robeson on the piano, as his regular pianist failed to turn-up for 1 of his events. Even though May never completed her high school education, she was admitted to Columbia Teachers College-1917, on the strength of her entrance exam result. Originally May was after a musical degree but forgot that idea when a musical professor ridiculed her. But May did impress a Doctor Jean Broadhurst, with her paper on sewage disposal, The doctor encouraged her to major in science, which May did. It was the 1921, when May graduated with her B.Sc. Degree from Columbia University; May was also a bacteriologist at Flower Hospital-1924 for 2 years, then graduating from Bellevue Hospital-1926. After graduating with her degree May found that no hospital would allow her practising privileges; the Rockerfeller Institute had considered her for a research fellowship, until they discovered her she was 1st Nation/Haitian. She later told Muriel Petioni-president of The Society of Black Women Physicians, that African/American workers often snubbed her, because they assumed she was passing as a white colleague, did not want to jeopardise her position. Even though she was the 1st Native/Haitian intern at Harlem Hospital(completing that-1928), racial/gender discrimination kept her from obtaining privileges there. So in 1928, May opened a private practise on Edgecombe Avenue, working with other African physicians at The Edgecombe Sanitorium for non-white patients. At the same time she also became physician to The Franciscan Sisters of Mary, an African Catholic Convent, New York City. Her interest in early cancer diagnosis developed during these trying years, as she saw many patients with terminal diseases, often late-stage cancer. Doctor Chinn decided to accompany her patients to their clinical appointments, explaining she was the family physician. In so doing, she could learn more about biopsy techniques while securing a firm diagnosis for patients. Such resourcefulness typified Mays' approach to the barriers she faced, that excluded her from learning about the advanced medicines of the time, during her career. In the early-1930s, May studied cytological methods for cancer detection with Doctor George Papanicolaou, noted for his work on the Pap smear test for cervical cancer, becoming an advocate for cancer screening to detect cancer at its earliest stages. May described her early practise in Harlem, akin to an old-fashioned family practise in the rural-south a century earlier. She performed major-medical procedures in the home of the patient, the minor-procedures she conducted in her office. May told George Davis-New York Times Magazine. "that conditions were so bad that it seemed that you were not making any headway." To get to the roots of poverty May earned a M.D.-public health 1933 from Columbia University. In the early 1930s, May studied cytological methods for cancer detection with Doctor George Papanicolaou, noted for his work on the Pap smear test for cervical cancer; then becoming an advocate for cancer screening, to detect cancer at its earliest stages.(at The Memorial Hospital with Dr. Papanicolaou-1928-1933) When Doctor George Papanicolaou moved from Columbia University, to Cornell University Medical College, May continued to work with him from 1948-1955. In her autobiographical paper-1977, May noted that the committees established by Mayor LaGuardia after the 1935 Harlem riots(19/20th March 1935 during The Great Depression, they were started by a teenager stealing a penknife from a store. Lino Rivera stole a 10cent penknife from the S. H. Kress dime store, the owner called the police, but then on seeing the crowd that gathered, he told the police to let the boy go. The police let the boy go, he left through the back door. Then rumours abounded that the police had killed him, this enraged the gathered mass, who then started to riot. When it all ended the resulting damage was : 75 arrests; >100 injured; 3 dead total =178 they were all African. property damage ~200 stores ~$200m. would you like to see the explanation in motion : youtube.com/watch?v=_miNyuSOJ9w) were pivotal in integrating the African into the proper medicine regime in New York City. As committee findings were reported in newspapers so conditions started to change. May saw this 1st hand when she was granted admitting privileges at Harlem Hospital-1940. It was in the 1940s May became interested in cancer, still prohibited from forming affiliations with with New York City Hospitals, instead she had her patients biopsies read secretly for her at Memorial Hospital. Then in 1944 a breakthrough of sorts, May was invited to join the staff of The Strang Clinic, a premier cancer detection facility affiliated with Memorial/New York Infirmary Hospital. First May was given a position on the Tuesday afternoon cancer clinic, then in 1945, Doctor Chinn was given a staff-position at The Strang Clinic at The New York Infirmary, staying there until she retired in 1974. While there May promoted cancer screening methods for non-symptomatic patients, routine smears and the use of family medical histories, to predict cancer risk. May worked there for 29 years becoming a member of The Society of Surgical Oncology. Male African doctors were another source of discrimination/gender politics. In a New York Times interview with Charlayne Hunter-Gault-1977, May describes 3 types. "those who acted as if I wasn't there; another took the attitude what does she think that she can do that I can't do?; and the group that call themselves supportive by sending me their night calls after midnight." Like other African women physicians of her era, May worked long hours but never got rich from her practise. By 1978, May had given up her practise and begun examining African students as a consultant to the Phelps-Stokes Fund(established-1911 by Caroline Phelps Stokes to improve housing/education of the African in New York City as well as Africa). May was also the medical adviser in New York State Department of Health-1967-77. She was inducted into The Society of Surgical Oncology-1958, American Society of Cytology-1972. It was in the late-1980s, that Doctor May Edward Chinn passed away, at a Columbia University reception for a friend. I cannot find any detail about Mays' burial place or whether she was cremated, so I am sorry to say That is all I can discover. I do have 3 Newspaper cuttings. (1) The Indianapolis Star Sunday 1-6-1980 Page 99. "TRIUMPHED OVER BIAS Harlem Pioneer," Dr. May Chinn Cited. By NADINE BROZAN "I WAS THE ONLY Negro and the only female in a class of 11; he terrified me" said Dr. Chinn who prefers the word "Negro" to "black." (here she is talking about the male professor who ridiculed and mocked her, when May wanted to major in music) (2) The Pittsburgh Courier Saturday 11-9-1926 Page 11 New York Woman Doctor Points Way For Girls (a photo of May beneath the photo : DR. MAY E CHINN) Finds Profession Interesting For Those Who Can Stand It. NEW YORK, Sep 9- When five ambulances dashed from Harlem Hospital the other day, to the West 135th Street station of the Lennox Avenue division of the I.R.T.((Interborough Rapid Transit Co. est. 1904 private operator of the NYC subway)) subway, where four persons were injured and a score cut from broken glass, in a rear-end collision, observers noted a coloured girl of about 28 giving first aid to the sufferers. Her name is Dr. May E. Chinn and it was learned she is the 3rd coloured doctor connected with a hospital in this state. (again I am guessing, but I would think this is the time when Doctor May became the 1st woman to ride with the Harlem Hospital Ambulance) (3) The New York Times : this is a very detailed sketch of Mays life, if you would like to read it : nytimes.com/1979/04/22/archives/a-healing-hand-in-harlem.html) Back in 2010, the National Black Touring Circuit did a Black History Month Play Festival in February 5th to 28th. They were celebrating : Lorraine Hansberry-playwright; Josephine Baker actress/singer; Billie Holiday-blues singer; Doctor May Edward Chinn-physician. American actress Kim Yancey Moore played May Chinn. It took place at The Castillo Theatre-New York City. All seats were $20. there was 3 performances : Friday 26th February-8pm. Saturday 27th February-8pm. Sunday 28th February-3 pm. DOCTOR MAY EDWARD CHINN will have the last word, it concerns that not every hospital was available to 1ST NATION NATIVE AMERICANS, AFRICANS, AFRO-CARIBBEANS. "Even if a hospital was around the bend of the road it was useless to us, who were denied any privilege whatsoever of its faculties. We managed the best we could."

THE STONE SISTERS 1ST NATIVE AMERICAN OWNED BEAUTY PARLOUR IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE : SALLIE BROOKS STONE-Mother to the 6 sisters 1858 to 1923; the sisters :AUGUSTA STONE-1876 to1917; LEE STONE-1879 to 1954; SALLIE K STONE-1881 to 1954; HORTENSE STONE-1883 to 1959; NANNIE STONE-1885 to 1975; EMMA STONE-1889 to 1934; The Stone sisters became the proprietors of the 1ST OWNED NATIVE AMERICAN BEAUTY PARLOUR IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE. Their business was on the corner of 6th Avenue/North + Union Street, near the present site of the Tennessee Performing Arts Centre. The sisters catered for a clientele of wealthy white women; introducing the 1st permanent wave machine, which they learnt to use at Fredericks, New York City. They sold hair-pieces, wigs from France, used hair-weaving equipment, hair dryers, hair cutting tools, among other innovations. The sisters developed "Stone White" a skin bleach lotion and sold it at their beauty parlour. The sisters resided at 1613 Jefferson Street, immediately across from Fisk University Jubilee Hall(Jefferson Street was the "R&B" street of Nashville, with the likes of Etta James connected to it). Lee, Sallie K, Nannie began working in the early-1900s, as apprentices at McIntyre Beauty Parlour, after arriving in Nashville from their birthplace in Maury County, Tennessee. The 3 sisters were joined by another younger sister Emma, who completed the pharmacy programme at Meharry Medical College-1907, operating the Campus Drug Store at 1712 Jefferson Street-1915. The 4 sisters bought the McIntyre Beauty Parlour from its white owner May McIntyre, for the sum of $500. The sisters operated the lucrative business until the 1930s; the Percy Warners (businessman/civic leader in Nashville); Robert Cheeks family; the Luke Leas(politician/newspaper publisher) along with other prominent white families. frequented the sisters' beauty parlour. The 2 other sisters were not involved in the beauty parlour, Augusta married Jefferson D. Fowler, physician tutor at Meharry College. Hortense married a dentist a former student of Meharry, George Richardson, they had 1 daughter Emma. The mother of the sisters was Sallie Brooks Stone, enslaved at birth; the father of the sisters was John Secrest, a prosperous white Jewish planter in Maury County. All the girls inherited 1st Nation blood from their maternal grandmother Sallie. The sisters held membership at the Gay Street Christian Church, with Lee, Nannie, Emma singing in the church choir. The Stone family were compassionate/sensitive to the issue of racial oppression. The mother often visited the sick giving food/money to the poor. The sisters unsuccessfully used money/influence to gain the release of a Knoxville African man, who was accused of killing a white woman, in 1919, this being the cause of the "Red Summer" riots of 1919. (to understand the story fully watch the video here : pbs.org/video/knoxvilles-red-summer-the-riot-of-1919-onccid/). Nannie Stone was buried in California with her dentist husband Thomas H. Grantham. The other 5 sisters were buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Nashville.

WILLA BEATRICE BROWN CHAPPELL AVIATRIX-PIONEER TEACHER-INSTRUCTOR CIVILRIGHTS/GENDER-ACTIVIST 1ST NATION/AFRICAN 22-1-1906 to 18-7-1992 (a small photo gallery to start with at: blackkudos.tumblr.com/post/156169822297/willa-brown

) Willa was born in Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky, to a 1st Nation mother Hattie Mae Carpenter + African father Eric B. Brown, she had 3 brothers James C.; Guy; Simeon. Their family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana in 1912, where integrated schools promised better education opportunities/facilities for their 4 children. Willa was an outstanding student, after graduating from High School in Terre Haute, she enrolled in The Indiana State Teaching College (which is now the Indiana University). Willa earned her Bachelor Degree-business at 21, She was immediately hired as a teacher at Roosevelt High School, Gary, Indiana. Where she was the youngest high-school teacher in the Gary, Indiana schools. It was here as well she found her 1st husband Alderman Wilbur Hardaway(married-1929 divorced-1931); but it was short-lived. Willa moved to Chicago-1932, where she found employment in the public school system. After teaching for 2 years, Willa went back to University, enrolling in Northwestern University earning her MD-Business Administration-1937. Teaching was a profession she enjoyed immensely throughout her whole life. In the late- 1920s to early-1930s(The Great Depression) economically times were regressing in the USA, but Willa thrived/survived through dedication/determination, but fulfilling numerous/various job roles including : laboratory assistant in a college; secretary for Calar Paul Page director of of Chicago Relief Administration; social services worker at Cook County Bureau of Public Welfare; clerk in the Department of Immigration/Naturalisation; US Post-Office; secretary to Horace Cayton sociologist/author. Also while in Chicago Willa picked up an interest in aviation, 1st it was a hobby, which in turn inspired her into making it her profession. She was fed on the fascination of her heroine Bessie "Queen Bess" Colemans' legacy. The 1st African woman to earn a pilots license but from France. Willa would later organise flyover-flower drops on Bessies' grave. Inspired to push her own boundaries, intrigued by the mechanics/thrills of actual flying Willa, took aviation lessons at Chicagos' segregated Harlem Field from John Robinson/Cornelius Coffey, also attending classes at The Curtiss-Wright Aeronautical University. (youtube.com/watch?v=OjQHXMYRxb8 a short video on Willa) Like everything else Willa put her mind to she excelled at with excellence, THE 1ST NATIVE/AFRICAN WOMAN TO EARN Master Mechanic Certificate-1935. At this time she also joined The Chicago Girls Flight Club. Then in 1937, Willa made the breakthrough, THE 1ST NATIVE/AFRICAN WOMAN TO RECEIVE A PRIVATE PILOTS LICENSE (NUMBER 43814) IN THE USA.(kywomenhistoryproject.com/willa-beatrice-brown-2/ ; with a video). Willa used her energy/determination to to promote civil rights encouraging participation within the African community in Chicago and beyond. Willa married Cornelius Coffey in 1939(divorced-1947). Towards their mutual goal Willa/Cornelius teamed-up to founding The Coffey School of Aeronautics, Oak Lawn, Chicago. The school offered hands-on tuition/academic instruction, without restriction on gender/race. It was also the 1ST AFRICAN OWNED/OPERATED PRIVATE FLIGHT TRAINING ACADEMY IN THE US. Willa was involved in every aspect of the school from running the business-to managing the dining room, she was its director from 1940-41. Around the same time Willa was a founding member of The National Airmens Association of America-1940, the 1st African aviators' group. She served as the national secretary/president, of the Chicago branch, whose main objective was to pursue the participation of Africans into aviation, as well as bringing the African into the armed forces. The work of both the academy/NAAA gained traction with the onset of WW II, as their was a serious shortage of experienced pilots, which made the headlines across the country. A 1939 Time magazine article on the topic, Monday 25-9-1939, titled : National Affairs : School for Willa.(see it at : content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,761956,00.html) Willa advocated tirelessly for desegregation in the military, her school finally became part of government-funded Civilian Pilot Training Programme(later the War Training Service Programme), established to provide the country with enough experienced aviators to improve military preparedness. It allowed participation of the African on a "separate-but-equal" basis((so it was still segregated)). Willa was named federal coordinator for the Civil Pilot Training Programme in Chicago, while the Coffey School was NOT ALLOWED TO TRAIN PILOTS FOR THE ARMY, it was only chosen to provide African trainees for the pilot training programme, at The Tuskegee Institute, Alabama.(aviationheritagepark.com/aviators/willa-brown short video on the plane used for trainee pilots + Willa) This programme led to the creation of the famed Tuskegee airmen of the 99th Pursuit Squadron(The Red Tails), with Willa being directly responsible for training >200 future Tuskegee airmen/instructors.(tuskegeeairmen.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/TAI_Resources_Willa-Brown-Bio.pdf. : it also includes her entrance into The Chicago Defender newspaper office). When Willa encountered obstacles in her quest to change the face of aviation, trying as hard as she could to incorporate African airwomen/airmen into the USAF, she wrote a letter to the 1st Lady Eleanor Roosevelt; because of this letter Willa was invited to pilot the First Lady, then invited to The White House to discuss aviation/civil rights.(see the letter at: docsteach.org/documents/document/brown-roosevelt). Willas' testimony before congress led to the amalgamation by the US government to integrate the Army Air Corps and all branches of American military. (not until 1948, President Harry Truman signed executive order number 9981, ending segregation in the military Willas' dedication to gender/racial equality had paid off). In that, Willa/Cornelius were special only 10 African colleges + the aeronautics school were certified to conduct the flight training programmes of this sort. At 1 point Willa was afraid it was going to cut-back to 2. So she sent a letter to Congressman William L. Dawson, 180 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois, dated 13-2-1943, asking if there was anyway to get more aviation training opportunities for African airmen.(if you would like to read the whole letter you can find it at : docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-brown-dawson). Willas' engagement did not stop with the schools inclusion into the Civilian Pilot Training Programme. In 1942 The Civil Air Patrol, was the organising body behind the concept of using civilian aviation in wartime, CAP proved vital in the early years of the war effort, they flew anti-submarine/border patrols, courier missions, other vital services. THEN COMMISSIONED LIEUTENANT WILLA BROWN BECAME THE 1ST NATIVE AMERICAN OFFICER FOR THE BRANCH.(pbslearningmedia.org/resource/willa-brown-chappell-video/kentucky-studies/) After the war Willa/Cornelius divorced in 1947, at the same time the Aeronautics School closed as well. In 1945 Willa became a aeronautic/business education teacher at Westinghouse High School, Chicago, retiring from there in 1971. Willa still remained politically active becoming the 1ST NATIVE AMERICAN/AFRICAN TO RUN FOR CONGRESS, in Illinois, in 1946, 48, 50, but she lost each time to the Democrat opponent. In 1955 Willa tried for the 3rd time, getting married to the Reverend J. H. Chappell(1898-1984). Willa remained active in many areas, with her husband an his church in all areas, also serving on the board of The Federal Aviation Administration Womens Advisory Board 1972-75. Then early in 1992 Willa died of a stroke. Mrs. Willa Beatrice Brown Chappell was buried at : Lincoln Cemetery, Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois. Plot : Sect. 40 Lot 359 Grave S3-E 1/2 Memorial ID : 7288758 (findagrave.com/memorial/7288758/willa beatrice-brown) In 2000 : "The Willa Brown Scholarship" programme was instituted at The Buena Vista High School, for those girls interested in flying. 2002 : Willa was named as 1 of "The 100 Most Influential Women in Aviation + Aerospace." 2003 : Willa was inducted into "Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame," at The Aviation Museum, Kentucky. 2013 : Barren County Honoured Willa with a historical marker, who became known as "The Dean of Black Wings." honoured like her heroine Bessie Coleman with a flyover/flower-drop. Willas' historical marker is located at : the intersection of Race Street/Washington Street, on the grounds of The Barren County Court House Square, Kentucky. (see it at : hmdb.org/m.asp?m=88118)

JANET HARMON WATERFORD BRAGG NURSE AVIATOR-PIONEER COMMERCIAL PILOT BUSINESSWOMAN 1ST NATION(CHEROKEE)/AFRICAN 24-3-1907 to 1-4-1993(nabmw.org/the-chicago-air-women : Janet/Willa side-by-side) Janet was the youngest of the7 children their mother Cordia Batts Harmon-Cherokee Blood/Heritage

. Their father was Samuel Harmon of African blood/Heritage.Cordia/7 children were born in the house that Cordias' father had built. Cordias' mother-Janets' grandmother was full-Cherokee, Janet remembers her childhood as a happy one. Her favourite companion was her brother Pat, one of her fathers' favourite sayings was. "If Jack can do it, so can Jill." A statement that made a deep impression on his daughter, leading her to the conviction that, "I could do anything I set my sights on." Janets' education started at St. Stephens' Episcopal School, Griffin, Georgia. Then followed Fort Valley Episcopal High School, Fort Valley, Georgia, where she excelled in maths/sciences, was an outstanding athlete. Janet then attended Spellman College, Atlanta; during her 1st year she majored in home-economics, but changed to nursing during her 2nd year. Janets' nursing programme was very vigorous but she was 1 of 2, from a class of 12 to survive the 6 month probationary period. As there were no interns the students took over their duties, assisting in operations. Janet received her RN-degree-1929. Janet worked as a nurse in a segregated part of Griffin Hospital, but left after a month because of the inferior care offered to African patients. Janet then moved to Rockford, Illinois, to live with 1 of her sisters. While there she passed the Illinois test for her nurses license, unable to find work in her field/profession she moved to Chicago, where she became a nurse at Wilson Hospital; this is where Janet met her 1st husband Evans Waterford(married 1931 divorced 1933), who was visiting a patient there. The marriage lasted 2 years, but Janet kept the Waterford name. After the death of her father, along with her divorce, Janet had to support her mother along with 2 nieces; so she moved them to Chicago with her. She then left the hospital for a more lucrative nursing employment, to the office of 3 practitioners 2 doctors/1 dentist. Still looking to progress/further herself Janet took graduate courses at Loyola University; earning the graduate certificate in public health administration. Whilst studying Janet became a night supervisor at Wilsons Hospital emergency room, while studying laboratory procedures/radiology. Janet also did graduate work in pediatric nursing, at the Cook County School of Nursing. During this time Janet worked, continued her nursing training at Mac Bicar Hospital-1933. On the strength of these new educational attainments, Janet became a health inspector for The Metropolitan Burial Insurance Company, where she worked for ~10years. During this time she was determined to fly, in her own words. "I saw a billboard with a bird nurturing her young fledglings into the flying world. It read Birds learn to fly. Why can't you? That did it." The sign evoked memories of watching birds fly as a child and, longing to emulate them. Janet began to look for a school where she could learn to fly. She enrolled in an Aeronautical University ground school, where she learnt what she needed to know on how to fly, aircraft maintenance/mechanics/aeronautics, meteorology, under the tutelage of African pioneer aviators John C. Robinson/Cornelius Coffey. However the school owned no aeroplanes so she did not receive any flight instruction/or gain any flight hours. Private flying lessons at a private airport were $15 an hour(~$321.69 today-23-1-2022), so Janet did not receive any private lessons; remembering this is 1933. But undeterred she invested $600(~$12,867.78 today 23-1-2022) in a plane of her own(the 1st of 3 that she would own), then hired that out to the school and its pupils. Then in order to fly the craft they needed an airfield, because Africans were not allowed to fly out of airports, that were used by whites. Then the township of Robbins ~20 miles south/west of Chicago, an all-African community offered the school/pupils a strip of land to build there airfield. With lots of endeavour/fortitude the school/instructors/pupils built their own personal facility to fly the plane. So in the Spring-1934 Janet finally got to fly her plane after 35 flying hours she passed her test, earning her very own private pilots license. Then in 1939, the federal government announced The Civilian Pilot Training Programme, it specifically excluded Africans. To combat this discrimination, to interest young African women/men in aviation careers, the African pilots of The National Airmens Association of America lobbied to get the restriction removed. Their lobbying techniques were successful, with Senator Harry S. Truman(1948-when he became president he desegregated the US armed forces with executive order 9981) interceding President Roosevelt to allow African pilots to receive training at designated schools. The US entered WW II, when Japan bombed Pear Harbour December 1941. In 1943 Janet along with other African women applied for appointments to the Womens Auxiliary Service Pilots. Janets application was looked upon favourably, until she turned-up for the face2face interview, the interviewer turned her away without any discussion. Being told by Ethel Sheehy vice/president of the womens flight training detachment, that she did not know what to do with black women. Janet also received a letter later from Jacqueline Cochran-director of WASP, telling her the same, that due to her heritage/colour she was not required by WASP. But also her age was in consideration, the top age for training the women pilots was 35 years of age, Janet was already 35, before the training had started. Janet then applied for placements in the military nursing corps, but was refused for that as well. Janet then decided to fly to Tuskegee, Alabama, where there was CPTP School, to obtain her commercial pilots licence. Janet completed her written work flawlessly, passed her flight test, but was still denied/refused a commercial license from a bigot/racist WHITE instructor. His final comment on Janet was. "Well, I tell you Chief, she gave me a ride I'll put with any of your flight instructors. I've never given a coloured girl a commercial pilots license. I don't intend now.-1942" In the same year back on Pal-Waukee Field, near Wheeling, Illinois, with a different examiner, after a 30-40 minute flight Janet was awarded her commercial license. Janet did buy herself a super-cruiser aircraft-1946, one imagines this is how she started her commercial flying. Although Janet still flew as a hobby, she continued her work as a health inspector at Metropolitan Burial Insurance Company, where it consisted mainly of home visits. This is where Janet noticed how poorly many of the indignant elderly fared without proper food, care, medical attention. This along with a suggestion from a friend, with the acquisition of a suitable property led her into the nursing-home business. Janet invested in a 22 room mansion(with 1 of her brothers it is suggested with 2 cousins helping her run the facility), converted into a health care facility for the elderly on welfare. Sumner Bragg was a supervisor at Metropolitan Burial Insurance Company, this is where they obviously met and Janet/Sumner got married in late-1951. Janet left Metropolitan Burial to concentrate on the nursing business, Sumner then joined her, in 1953 they then purchased the adjacent mansion expanding their business into a facility for 60 patients. Janet also befriended several Ethiopian students in 1955, who were studying in the USA; she travelled with them showing them the country. Then for her helpfulness Janet was invited to meet Emperor Haile Selassie-1955. At his invitation she stayed for 3 months. Janet also wrote a newspaper column, for The Chicago Defender, reporting on the exploits of Colonel John Robinson, an African/American aviator in charge of the Imperial Air Forces in Addis Ababa. In the intervening years Janet travelled very widely, possibly due to her commercial pilots license.(parentseyes.arizona.edu/node/344 nice photo) In 1955 : Addis Ababa-Ethiopia; 1965 : Ethiopia, Dakar-Senegal, Nigeria, Cairo; 1972 : Ethiopia, Mexico, Singapore, Sweden, West Germany, Denmark, Italy. She was also asked to appear when her achievements were recognised, at lectures/talks, to discuss her life across the USA. Then it was in 1965, Janet retired from commercial flying after achieving 2,000 flying hours, due to the health of Sumner,(avstop.com/history/blackwomenpilot/janetbragg.htm superb photo) but continued to fly for pleasure until the 1970s. Then in 1972, both Janet/Sumner retired from nursing, then moving to Tucson, Arizona, where they had spent the winters, for a number of years. Sumner passed away in 1986, Janet had lived in Burbank Nursing Home, since suffering a heart attack-January 1993, then sadly Janet passed away in St. Francis Hospital, Blue Island. Janet Harmon Waterford Bragg is buried at : Lincoln Cemetery, Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois. That is all the information I can find. Hold-on-a-minute : Janets funeral was at : St. Edmund Episcopal Church, 6105 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Visitation will be from 10-11am Tuesday 13-4-1993. Services will follow. (Also pictures of Janets, Willas, Bessies grave plots can be seen at : natureinchicago.wordpress.com/2021/01/28/visit-to-lincoln-cemetery-reveals-rich-afri) There is a dedication from the House of Representatives from Mr. Davis of Illinois titled "HONOURING AVIATIONS PIONEER WOMEN OF COLOUR." from Wednesday 30-4-2003 to : Bessie Coleman-Willa Brown-Janet Harmon Bragg. Rather than write it all out and possibly bore some of our readers it is here if you would like to see it. (govinfo.gov/content//pkg/CREC-2003-04-30/html/CREC-2003-04-30-pt1-PgH3534-3.htm)

DOROTHY WEST STORYTELLER-SHORT STORY WRITER JOURNALIST ACTRESS AFRICAN/AMERICAN(photos at : myblackhistory.net/Dorothy-West.htm) 2-6-1907 to 16-8-1998 Harlem Renaissance writer Dorothy West was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the only child of Rachel Pease Benson/Issac Christopher West; he being a former slave from Virginia, who received his freedom at the age of 7, by the age of 10 had saved enough money in his cigar-box, to start his own business. By the time Dorothy was born, Issac had his own very successful wholesale-import fruit company; his nick-name was "Bostons' Black Banana King," he also ran a restaurant. Like her father Dorothy demonstrated a strong-will to succeed, she tells you now. "The gifts he had given me were endurance and strength of will." Now Rachel, Dorothys' mother, was born in Camden, South Carolina, 1 of 22 children; so even though Dorothy was an only-child, she grew-up amidst a wealth of maternal relatives always very close-by. Rachel was a beautiful/sparkling woman with a sharp sense of humour, she raised her only daughter to be proud/self-confident. These 2 parents afforded Dorothy a very comfortable childhood. At the age of 2 she started her formal education, under the tutelage of Bessie Trotter-sister of Nathan Monroe Trotter editor of The Boston Guardian; by 4 she was admitted to the 2nd grade of Farragut Elementary School(founded-1904 closed-2012), Boston. At the age of 7 Dorothy discovered her love of writing, in 1921 at the age of 14 she had her 1st story "Promise and Fulfilment" was published in The Boston Post(youtube.com/watch?v=nxFjnnBxC9s listen to Dorothy talk about her mum/dad). After graduation from The Girls Latin High School-1923, Dorothy continued her education at Boston University, then enrolled into Columbia University School of Journalism, New York City, studying journalism/philosophy-1923. Miss Dorothy West began publishing short-stories in her local newspaper, The Boston Post in 1925; at the same time she was also a member of "The Saturday Quill Club," a young-Boston writers collective. In 1926 "The Typewriter," written by Dorothy, but entered into the competition by her cousin Helene Johnson(Harlem Renaissance poet), appeared in Opportunity, the Journal of the National Urban League, a major literary outlet for The Harlem Renaissance writers. It won joint-2nd place with the elder writer-folklorist Zora Neale Hurston. It won for both of them an invitation to NYC, for the celebratory award dinner(her cousin Helene Johnson accompanied her to NYC), where they would both meet each other, Dorothy recalled. "always had a little feeling about me, because of the age-gap." She remained certain of Zoras' overriding affection. In fact Zora went out of her way to befriend Dorothy, inviting her to parties at her own home, introducing the younger writer to other leading lights of the Renaissance. When Dorothys' official time to leave NYC came, they both decided to stay, she/Helene initially boarded at the YWCA, then when Zora went on a research trip, Dorothy/Helene boarded at Zoras' apartment. During this period the 3 of them kept in-touch/connected by post; sending gifts/letters to each other. While Zora travelled the rural south collecting her folk-stories/songs, Dorothy sent her the current books to read; in return Zora for Dorothys' 1st Thanks-giving in the city, sent her a box of pecan nuts. Also a triste/sign of trust soon developed between the 3 of them, as Zora sent Dorothy/Helene segments of her work-in-progress to the apartment for safe-keeping.(somethingrhymed.com/2020/06/30/zora-neale-hurston-and-dorothy-west the enduring friendship) The friendship continued long after the awards dinner, even in 1931 they were living together for a while. For a while Dorothy put her writing on hold, while she tried her arm at acting. In the 1st place she applied for a playwright position, with the original production of "Porgy and Bess-1927," but was offered a small part in the production instead. The play : The August Wilson Theatre, Broadway, New York City, The Broadway Theatre Guild, Original 10-10-1927 to 1-8-1928. Then when the production moved to England, Dorothy went as well. His Majestys Theatre London 10-4-1929 to 1-6-1929. Then in June 1932 as an actress Dorothy travelled with a party of 21 others, the members of the group were mainly "northern intellectuals" who made their own way to the Soviet Union, to make the film "Black and White," all about American race relations the USA. The group included Langston Hughes-poet, Wayland Rudd-actor, Sylvia Garner-actress. They had been recruited by The Fellowship of Peace and Reconciliation, but the project failed,(would you like to see the animated preview for the film that was never made : youtube.com/watch?v=5NIBYqilxwo); the film was cancelled just before their arrival. But Dorothy decided to stay for a year, writing/teaching/working for the Meschrapbom Film Corporation of Moscow only returning to the USA with news of the death of her father. Apparently the film had been cancelled by the then Politburo, because it was found to be offensive by the American. professionals/businessmen, participating in the industrialisation of the USSR. With Dorothys' staying we have 4 extracts from 4 letters Dorothy sent to her friends Grace + Marie Turner, Oak Bluffs, Marthas Vineyard, Boston-1932/33. (1) LETTER ONE dated-13-7-1932 : Dorothy travelled to Russia by way of Germany and Finland by sea. Langston took her riding in a horse/buggy at Helsingfors((Swedish for Helsinki)). Visited Leningrad then settled at The Grand Hotel, Moscow. (2) LETTER TWO dated-22-11-1932 Dorothy planned on staying until Spring-1933, having travelled to Odessa, Tiflis, across the Georgian Highway to Vladivostock onto the Dneproges dam. (3) LETTER 3 dated-December 1932 In this letter Dorothy explains the exchange rate, shows the Russian bill for Christmas dinner, other places she has visited since her last letter. (4) LETTER 4 dated 7-1-1933 The letterhead of : "Nord deutcher Lloyd Bremen" at the top of the note-paper had been crossed-out. Describing her Christmas in Russia, where Christmas-trees are forbidden, the winter clothing of the children/peasants. Also that only 6 of the original group of 22 were still in the USSR. Dorothy also tells her friends. "I have signed a new contract with Meschrapbom and will be here five months longer." Eventually Dorothy returned to Harlem writing again in 1934, this time mentored by the white journalist/writer/music critic Carl Van Vechten. He helped her refine her writing skills, thus enhancing her literary voice. In 1934, Dorothy had $40 in savings which she decided to invest in editing 2 magazines Challenge/New Challenge, which she hoped would highlight, showcase new young African literary talent, but they never actually did; they both foreclosed-1937 before any great discoveries. Then in 1938 Dorothy worked as a welfare investigator in Harlem for 18 months. Then in 1943, Dorothy made a big permanent move back to Marthas' Vineyard, off Cape Cod, where her parents had owned a holiday home, where she finally finished her 1st novel, "The Living is Easy," published 1948. All of Dorothys' essays/articles/short-stories/novels discussed African life in her middle-class bubble, as opposed to a lot of writers themes based of poverty, all Dorothys' work had been seen through her eyes and how she lived, semi-biographical in a sense, it included all her gender/colour-racism from her schooldays, her work in Harlem, acting/working overseas. Dorothy was disillusioned with the NYC literary establishment, she was writing what she knew about/what she had been part of, but struggled to find a publisher that understood her works. They failed to understand her views/focus, as they did not conform to any editors idea of what the African should be writing about. During the intervening years away from the public gaze, Dorothy had continued with her care commitments with her elderly relatives. Dorothy had contributed with articles to the Vineyard Gazette(vineyardgazette.com/news/2008/08/18/dorothy-wests-highland-home-landmark-heritage), as well as working on her longer fiction without any real hope of getting it published. Dorothy struggled to convert a short-story, in to a full-length novel, she was in a position to give-up on the attempt; it was her neighbour an unknown woman an editor for Doubleday Publishers, that encouraged, gave her the focus to finish the novel. Ahh the neighbour was in fact, a certain Jackie Onassis(former Kennedy), she gave Dorothy the final-push/the will-power to finish her creation. When the book was published it had a dedication to Jackie, even though she died in 1994. Dorothy finally published her 2nd novel "The Wedding" in 1995, which in turn Oprah Winfrey turned into a two part TV mini-series-1998 with Halle Berry in the lead role. After this book and the following TV-series, Dorothy was the recipient of many invitations to be interviewed, as she found herself regarded as a rare/unique/surviving voice of the Harlem Renaissance; as Zora had passed away in 1960. Also recalling her friends' influence in the group as well, Dorothy would reminisce about the closeness they shared; also remembering Zora calling her "Little Sis." Dorothy West died at The New England Medical Centre, Boston, of natural causes. So to finish Dorothys' story we have (1) photos/bio at : youtube.com/watch?v=F6dR8gXfmZY) (2) Dorothys' Historical Marker located at : Myrtle Avenue south of Greenwood Avenue, Oak Bluffs, Dukes County, Massachusetts. It was erected in August 2008. (photos at : hmdb.org/m.asp?m=177801) My apologies if you thought that was it. I have if anyone is interested, found 2 previews for the TV Film "The Wedding." here they are PART1-10minutes youtube.com/watch?v=nGMvf_B5ZeM PART2-9 minutes youtube.com/watch?v=nK9xHgXhxU4. I hope you enjoy.

ALTHEA NEALE GIBSON TENNIS PLAYER GOLF-PRO RECORDING ARTIST 1ST AFRICAN TO WIN WIMBLEDON-FRENCH OPEN-US OPEN (WINNING 5 SINGLES TITLES; 5 DOUBLES TITLES; 1 MIXED DOUBLES) AFRICAN/AMERICAN 25-8-1927 to 28-9-2003(just a little introduction to Althea : youtube.com/watch?v=s6x7EAK8M-A) It began in Silver, South Carolina, where Althea was born; she was the eldest of 5 children, her parents Daniel/Annie Bell Gibson were sharecroppers living in a small shack, with her father working having not been paid for 3 years. They decided it was time to move from the rural-south to the industrialised north. So in 1930 the family moved to Harlem, living on welfare they moved to a small apartment on West 143rd Street/7th Avenue, which was used as a Parks Department Playground, which was cut-off from traffic so the inner-city children could play safely(bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/49186075). Her formal education was meant to take place at PS136(Public School), but young Althea was a restless soul playing truant most of the time; Althea explains herself. "School was to confining and boring to be worthy of more than cameo appearances." Althea would rather explore the "Big Apple," riding the subway/shooting hoops/sneaking into movie theatres, Daniel her father was strict disciplinarian and often beat her, she bore no grudge and admits she deserved it. Altheas' younger sister Millie has a little insight when she talks about her big sister, Althea. "Althea was out on the street all the time. We used to have to drag her back into the house. When other girls were putting on lipstick, she was playing stickball. When she got a whipping, she never cried. She just stood there and took it." At the age of 12 Althea, was the New York Paddle Tennis Champion, she had caught the eye of bandleader/youth work volunteer Buddy Walker, who introduced her to Fred Johnson, the famed 1-arm professional at the nearby Cosmopolitan Tennis Club. Althea who was more used to bowling-alleys/pool-halls rather than school, took to the grass game, finding it very hard to adjust to the genteel world of Harlems' African aristocracy. Her father once again tried to turn her from tennis to boxing, by taking her on-top of the tenement block and boxing with her there. Althea also met Sugar Ray Robinson(boxer) who became another patron. Despite all her hardships Althea aged 19 reached the American Tennis Association national finals. She lost but her potential impressed 2 influential doctors. Hubert Eaton took Althea with his family to North Carolina for her education, while the other Walter "Whirlwind" Johnson, would concentrate on her sport showing her the summer tennis circuit. It was in 1942 that Althea won her 1st championship, it was The New York State Girls Championship, sponsored by the ATA. Then in 1944, Althea Gibson captured The ATA National Girls Championship. Althea blossomed she finished her high school education in Wilmington, winning a scholarship to Florida A & M University, where she also played basketball. Her tennis improved immensely as from 1947-1956 she won 10 straight ATA titles on the trot. Would you like to see Altheas decade of triumph in the ATA Ladies Singles Championships? (1) 1946-29th ATA Championships held at Wilberforce University, Ohio. 17 year old Miss Althea Gibson lost to Roumania Peters. (2) 1947-30th ATA Championships held at The Tuskegee Institute, Alabama. 18 year old Althea beats Roumania Peters to claim her 1st ATA Title. (3) 1948-31st ATA championships held at South Carolina University. Althea wins the Ladies singles + mixed double(partner-Doctor R. Walter Johnson) (4) 1949-32nd ATA Championships held at Wilberforce University, Ohio. Althea wins singles + mixed doubles again. (5) 1950-33rd ATA Championships held at Wilberforce University. Althea retains singles + mixed doubles crowns. (6) 1951-34th ATA Championships held at Wilberforce University. Althea retains singles + doubles crowns. (7) 1952-35th ATA Championships held at Wilberforce University. Althea beats Miss Mary Etta Fine still retains mixed doubles title. (8) 1953-36th ATA Championships held at Bethune-Cookman College, Daytona, Florida. Althea beats Mary-Etta also retains mixed doubles crown. (9) 1954-37th ATA Championships held at Bethune-Cookman College. Althea beats Mary-Etta also retains her mixed doubles title. (10) 1955-38th ATA Championships held at Wilberforce University. Althea beats Miss Nana Davis Vaughn retains her mixed doubles crown as well. (11) 1956-39th ATA Championships held at Wilberforce University. Althea looses to Miss Nana Davis Vaughn Althea had also won the Eastern Indoor Championships-1950, but the white elitist US Lawn Tennis Association, refused to invite her to the outdoor nationals, unless she 1st played a major outdoor event herself. Due to racial segregation it looked as though Althea would not progress any further with her tennis, except for 1 lone voice. It was a campaign led by Alice Marble(American tennis player with 18 grand-slam titles), that finally got Althea to Forest Hills. Alice wrote an editorial in the prestigious American Lawn Tennis Magazine which said :"Miss Gibson is over a very cunningly wrought barrel, and I can only hope to loosen a few of its staves with one lone opinion. If tennis is a game for ladies and gentlemen, it's also time we acted a little more like gentlepeople and less like sanctimonious hypocrites. If Althea Gibson represents a challenge tot the present crop of women players, it's only fair that they should meet the challenge on the courts. Then there is an ineradicable mark against a game to which I have devoted most of my life, and I would be bitterly ashamed."(if you would like to see Miss Alice Marbles' editorial in Tennis Week-1-7-1950 it is 3 pages. cdn0.scrvt.com/c2465e9022ba946df66d1244a69b1c75/a20d82cad29e73bb/c30905d4c41e/Alice-) On her 1st attempt she nearly beat the reigning Wimbledon champion of that year Louise Brough. Althea also played at Wimbledon-1951, to establish her ranking while coaching at Lincoln College, Missouri. Her breakthrough came after Sydney Llewellyn became her coach. While Althea was in England-1951, she played a few other tournaments in and around the country. (1) 8-6-1951 Northern Lawn Tennis Tournament Manchester. (2) 15-6-1951 Kent Lawn Tennis Championship; here Althea lost to Betty Rosenquist in the quarter-finals. (3) 21-6-1951 London Grass Court Tennis Championship (4) 21-7-1951 Essex Tennis Championship Frinton-on-sea. Then previous to these back in February, Althea was in the Caribbean, at The Caribbean Tennis Championships, Montego Bay, Jamaica 10-2-1951. The Caribbeans' welcomed Althea with open arms. Althea played Betty Rosenquist in the final and won 7-5, 3-6, 8-6, this being her 1st major title, being gifted with rich chocolates, Chinese slippers, an elegant purse, powder box. After her win in Jamaica she flew back to finish her college exams, whilst back home Althea played in the National Indoor Championship, loosing to Nancy Chaffee in the quarter-finals 6-1, 6-2. Then flew to Detroit to start her training for Wimbledon. Althea worked with her coach Jean Hoxie 6 hours a day; a group of supporters including Joe Louis worked on raising funds for her flight to London/training expenses/3 new tennis outfits/hotel expenses, as she was staying at The Gotham Hotel, London. The media gave Althea a number of monikers as she trained for Wimbledon : "Harlem Girl Is Big Tennis Hit;" "First Negress At Wimbledon;" "Harlems' Tomboy Cinderella;" "The New Gibson Girl." In the fortnight of Monday 25th June to Saturday 7thJuly 1951, was Wimbledon, Althea being the 1ST AFRICAN/AM at the championships, where she made it to the 3rd round. It is also where 2 femme-fatales met, 1 an English Jewess, the other an African/am. The young Jewess approached the African/am player for her autograph, duly got it. This quiet dignified, possibly unimportant/unimpressive moment, might not have meant much to a lot of people. But it lead to an unbroken 50 year friendship. The young Jewess was Miss Angela Buxton, the African player was Althea Gibson, they also became doubles partners in this glorious game

.(vimeo.com/ondemand/althea & vimeo.com/ondemand/altheaandangela) Althea had a by-1st round; 2nd round she played Pat Ward won 6-0, 2-6, 6-4; 3rd round she played Beverley Baker lost 6-1, 6-3. At the height of Altheas' fame/prominence everybody wanted a little of her, as is usual I guess. Althea was the mystery guest on "Whats My Line," 10-8-1958(watch it : youtube.com/watch?v=BNa2zMLzZMo if you only want to see Althea go to the last 12 mins. of the programme). Althea also made 2 appearances on CBS' The Ed Sullivan Show, Sunday 25-5-1958; Sunday 24-8-1958 here she sang "Jelly Roll Blues," with Turk Murphys' Band as backing. would you like to see + hear Althea?(youtube.com/watch?v=PQUYMLfL2fQ). In 1958 Althea decided to turn professional, signing a contract with The Harlem Globetrotters for $100,000 to give exhibition tennis matches with Karol Fageros, during their half-time break, when they went on tour. In the same year Altheas' 1st autobiography "I Always Wanted To Be Somebody," was published. Althea also garnered extra revenue by becoming the "Community Relations Representative" for the Ward Baking Company, for their Tip-Top Bread line, in Brooklyn. Also Altheas film appearance with the late greats John Wayne(as Col. John Marlowe) + William Holden(as Maj. Henry Kendall). "The Horse Soldiers-1959." Althea Gibson starring as "Lukey." Because of racial segregation laws in Louisiana, Althea would have been forced to stay in separate housing during the shoot; so all her scenes were were shot in Hollywood, with doubles used in the long-shots on location. Also, Lukeys' dialogue was originally written in a stereotypical "Negro" dialect, that Althea found offensive. She informed John Ford(Director) that she would not deliver her lines as written. Though Ford was notorious for his intolerance of actors demands, he agreed to modify her script. John Ford also cast Althea Gibson in the film, in the hope of attracting African/ American viewers to the film. (film preview Althea is there! youtube.com/watch?v=XwLrqPfc931 also some behind the scene shots Althea is at 1m 17second slot : youtube.com/watch?v=Nd69luXBxrA). After Altheas graduation from University-1953, she took a job at Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri in the physical education department, for an annual salary of $2800(~$233 a month). After 2 years there, having fallen in love with an army captain, she seriously considered joining the Womens Army Corps. Then in 1955, the US State Department organised a Goodwill Tour of Asia which incorporated tennis. The plan was to take 4 players-2 female/2 male on a 6 week trip to India, Pakistan, Ceylon, Burma, Thailand, to play exhibition matches, to take part in the local tournaments. they chose Ham Richardson, Bob Perry, Karol Fageros, Althea Gibson; it was a brilliant decision to choose Althea, it rejuvenated her career as she swept across globe, partaking of every tournament possible and nearly winning everything in her path. Althea would have probably met a prominent local tennis player in Ceylon, in the Asia Cup, by the name of Shelagh Goddum Cotton. THE MILWAUKEE SENTINEL NEWSPAPER DATED 5-5-1956 reports. "She won the all-India womens singles at New Delhi, the Asian championship in Calcutta, the German Indoor championship-Cologne, French Indoor title-Paris, along with the Lyon and Cannes titles and the Monte Carlo crown" Although it was not mentioned in the newspaper article, Althea also won the womens doubles in New Delhi. Throughout the Asia tour the issue of race did arise but Althea remembers fondly. "Because I was a Negro, the Asians not only were particularly interested in me, they were also especially proud of me." Altheas' mother Annie later told The New York Post. "I didn't think she would. I didn't think a Negro girl could go that high." Then in May 1956 Althea went to Paris, to play in the French Open seeded number 3, she only dropped 1 set on the way to the finals. Althea played Angela Buxton in the semi-finals winning 2-6, 6-0, 6-4. Then on Saturday 26-5-1956 she played Angela Mortimer MBE. Althea won in straight sets 6-0, 12-10, the first time in 5 encounters. Making her the 1st African/American to win a Grand Slam Championship. Then on Saturday 26-1-1957 Althea was in Canberra, playing in the Australian open final with Shirley Fry, Althea loosing this time 6-3, 6-4. Then from Australia Altheas' next port of call was England, for her 2nd appearance at Wimbledon fortnight from Monday 24-6-1957 to Saturday 6-7-1957. At the airport there was only 3 of her closest friends there, to wave her off, wishing her good luck in the championships. For the Ladies Singles Althea was seeded Number 1. Altheas 1st round-by; 2nd round vs Zsuzsa Komoczy Hungary won 6-4, 6-4; 3rd round vs M. Hellyer Australia won 6-4, 6-2; 4th round vs Gem Hoahing GB won 6-1, 6-1; Q/F vs Sandra Reynolds South Africa won 6-3, 6-4; S/F vs Christine Truman GB won 6-1, 6-1; Final vs Darlene Hard 5th seed US won 6-3, 6-2. Althea becomes the 1ST AFRICAN/AM TO WIN WIMBLEDON. More excitement was to follow with the Ladies Doubles Championship. Althea Gibson/Darlene Hard were seeded number 1. 1st round-by; 2nd round vs Lorna Cawthorn/Gem Hoahing GB won 6-2, 6-2; 3rd round vs S. Armstrong GB/M. Hellyer Australia won 6-3, 8-6; Q/F vs P. Hird/Angela Mortimer won 6-3, 6-0; S/F vs Anne Shilcock/Pat Ward 3rd seeds GB won 6-2, 6-2; Final vs Mary Hawton/Thelma Long 2nd seeds Australia won 6-1, 6-2. Althea/Darlene Doubles Champions(1956 Althea had won the Wimbledon ladies doubles with Angela Buxton. Then in 1958 Althea won it again this time with Maria Bueno). Altheas' experience at Wimbledon was completely different to her 1 at Forest Hills There she had been relegated to a side court, with no spectators/out of everyones sight as well-as though she were a disease. At Wimbledon, Althea was the main attraction on the Centre-Court, with 16,000-20,000 spectators watching her every graceful move. At the Wimbledon Ball Althea gave a lovely speech, then she danced with Lew Hoad(white Australian), the mens singles champion. Althea also commented. "Shaking hands with the Queen of England, was a long way from being forced to sit in the coloured section of the bus." (youtube.com/watch?v=QNK-60yRWvo see Althea at Wimbledon get presented with the Venus Rosewater Dish by Queen Elizabeth II) After winning Wimbledon, on her return home Althea was feted with a ticker-tape parade; the 1st African/am to be treated to one. It went all the way from Lower Manhattan to City Hall, where she received a bronze medallion from the mayor. Who then hosted a luncheon in Altheas' honour at The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The Menu card was a touch on the plain side, but would still have made a nice memento of the occasion. Luncheon given in honour of Miss Althea Gibson by The Honourable Robert F. Wagner Mayor of the City of New York Menu : Cold Vichyssoise-aperitif; Roast Salt Meadow Lamb The Vegetable of The Garden-Georges de Latour Private Reserve 1952((cabernet sauvignon from Nappa Valley California; Pineapple Dessert Surprise; Mignardises((miniature pastries/sweets served after dessert)); Demi Tasse((half-sized cup for espresso)) The Waldorf-Astoria July 11, 1957 (would you like to hear some of the speeches from that luncheon? wnyc.org/story/reception-for-althea-gibson). This was also the year-1957, when Althea became the 1st African/am to be chosen to play in the US Wightman Cup Team, that beat Great Britain 6-1.The ATA had placed all its bets on Althea, hoping she would be the 1 that would show the white tennis elite, that the African could play, also be a force to be reckoned with. Althea reflected later. "The ATA seemed to have lost interest in me and, I can't say I blame them much. I kept winning their tournament every year, but I was no bargain in USLTA competition. Altheas' tennis future was unclear/unsure/uncertain, it was not professional so she received no earnings, but she still had bills to pay, her health to look after.-This is 1954 tennis is an amateur sport with no earnings to be had. If we go forward to 2014-WTA offers $129 million in prize money, with the top 15 earning at least $1million, + what they earn with their own advertising concessions. Then after her momentous Wimbledon victory, she spoke to a journalist from the British Daily Mail, about her financial position. "After ten years of it, I am still a poor negress, as poor as when I was picked off the back streets of Harlem and, given the chance to work myself up to stardom. I have travelled to many countries, in Europe, Asia and Africa in comfort. I have stayed in the best hotels and met many rich people. I am much richer in knowledge and experience. But I have no money. I have no apartment or even a room of my own anywhere in America. I have no clothes beyond those with which I travel around. And I like clothes. Unfortunately, I have no gift for making them and, I can't afford many of the wide variety of cheap, ready-to-wear American dresses which other American girls buy, then throw-away after a few months. Mine have to do for a long time. I haven't been able to help my mother and my father and, the rest of my family. They are still poor, very poor. My father is a garage hand. My brother and the eldest of my three sisters go out to work. My other two sisters are at home. And my mother can't go out to work because she's too busy keeping house for the family. I am the eldest of five children, so you can imagine how badly I feel about not helping them, when I am living well and meeting all sorts of fine people." In 1959 Althea Gibson cut an album with Dot Records, "Althea Gibson Sings."(like to hear Altheas' husky voice youtube.com/watch?v=6FHeO6fe6-M) At the height of her tennis career Althea retired, due mainly to the fact that she was not making any money, so she was finding it very hard to survive.((CHANGEOVER SPOT : This is the beginning of Altheas' decade long golf career, when she retired from tennis, because she was close to being a "pauper" because she made no money. Althea stated herself. "I had plenty of cups and silver but not a lot of bread.")) In 1959 Renee Powell(Af/am ladies golf professional) was a teenager in Canton, Ohio, her sport was golf; but even she appreciated how big a deal it would be to meet The Althea Gibson. Renees' parents took her to the event, hoping their daughter might get to meet the tennis star. "And by the time we went backstage, she had already gone and didn't meet her. I was so disappointed." Renee states. A year later Renee travelled to Boston to play in a tournament arranged by The United Golfers Association(an African Assoc.). At first it seemed like any other UGA Tournament-then Renee learnt the name of her playing partner. " I was paired with Althea Gibson." Renee says with a chuckle. "So it was like, Really? Wow. Here she is on the golf course. Althea would hit the golf ball. It was amazing. She was so strong. Because she would hit it -it didn't go high. It went low. But it went. It kept going." 3 years later Renee followed in Altheas footsteps, qualifying for the tour. Those were not easy times for African/am-it was no different on the golf course. "First of all she was not invited to the social events ever." Mitch Miller says. But Renee says Althea found an ally in LPGA veteran Marlene Hagge. "There was one incident when Althea had gone to a hotel and, they couldn't find her reservation-they conveniently lost Altheas' reservation. And Marlene walked in, and Althea had been trying to register and, Marlene said, Whats the problem Althea? She told her what was going on. Marlene said Well Althea, juststand here for a second. Marlene registered. Then she asked the person behind the desk, I need 2 keys. And so right in front of the person she goes. Here Althea, she gave her a key she said, You're rooming with me." (wbur.org/onlyagame/2017/12/22/althea-gibson-golf). So she turned to golf to see if she could make a living at the ladies golf tour circuit. Althea took up golf under the tutelage of Jerry Volpe at Englewood Golf Club, New Jersey. Jerry was appalled by how little money Althea had earned, as the best female tennis player in the world. So he gave her an honorary membership at Englewood(1st African member), encouraging her to give the LPGA a whirl. In 1963 the US Womens Open was held at The Kenwood Country Club, Cincinnati. At 35 Althea became the 1stAfrican golfer, to play in The Womens Open; this was her professional debut appearance on the tour. Also in 1965, Althea appeared/played in the match at the Atlantic City Country Club. "I joined the tour in 1967 and Althea was already on the tour, having joined in 1963." Renee Powell 2nd African/am tour player recalled. "Althea was the 1st BLACK FEMALE out there. She came with such a great name and had done so many incredible things. She was an American Hero. But being a minority, being African/am in the field of golf, you were certainly going to run up against obstacles. Althea had to fight so many battles, but she was also a gentle person. In golf Althea found many allies. She joined the LPGA tour just 2 years after the PGA of America eliminated the "Caucasian Only" clause from its bylaws. But according to Renee. "There were never any discriminatory practises on the LPGA Tour. We were welcomed by the players. Sometimes the clubs that hosted the events weren't as accommodating, but the players could not have been more welcoming. At that time, some of the tournaments were invitationals. That meant they could invite everybody on the tour, if they wanted, but they didn't have to invite who they didn't want to invite. And they didn't have to invite Althea. But our tournament director, Lenny Wirtz, took a stand and so did the officers of the LPGA. They sent a clear message, either everybody played or nobody played." "Althea came and stayed with me here in the California desert for a while." LPGA founder Shirley Spork recalled. " We had the Bob Hope Classic going on and, she came out to our course at India Wells where I taught. She mingled with the other athletes and professional golfers who knew she was a tennis player, not a golfer. She was recognised for tennis, not for golf. But she was trying to be an athlete in another sport, after being at the top of her sport. And she chose golf." Not only did the players never consider Altheas' race an issue, most did whatever they could to support her. At 1 event, when Althea was forced to change her shoes in the parking lot, because she wasn't invited into the clubhouse, all the players changed in their cars in solidarity with her. "We viewed her as a positive, she didn't really have the game to compete. She had the desire and, she was a very good athlete, but she wasn't trained enough and hadn't played golf long enough to be very successful. She was a singer, an entertainer, she could really sing and she was well liked by the players. She was a Wimbledon tennis champion, so the gallery would come to see her play golf. That was an asset for us because she was a tennis star. Having her out there helped us go forward, to gain more galleries and gain more interest in getting sponsors." Recounts Shirley Spork. In 1963 Althea had earned her LPGA tour card, to launch her career. Her scoring average was 84, but dropped to 77 per 18 holes with gruelling practise/determination. Even as a member of the tour Althea was denied the opportunity to play all the tournaments, because of the "No Coloureds" segregation policy at country club venues. By 1966 Altheas' scoring average was down to 74, the highlight of her 1966 year was a score of 68, to break the course record at The Pleasant Valley Country Club, Sutton, Massachusetts. Althea retired from golf as well, as her earning s were less than her bank loans, that she needed to support herself. So she opted to find a real job to enable her, to pay back the loans she had. Althea had managed to get Dunlop Sports Goods + Will Darben to sponsor her. Althea had a friend Rosemary Darben, Will(production cordinator fro The Bendix Corp.) was her brother, so I guess somewhere along the line they had occasion to mix & meet. The 2 of them got married in Las Vegas, Nevada, 17-10-1965, then they divorced in 1976, but still good friends. In 1968 Althea published her 2nd autobiography, which concentrated on her golf career, "So Much To Live For." In the 1970s Althea coached women/girls sports, from 1975-77 she became the New Jersey Athletic Commissioner for boxing/wrestling. In 1977 she ran unsuccessfully in a 3-way Democratic primary, for the New Jersey Senate. Althea also served on the Governors Council on Physical Fitness. In 1980 Althea had 1 more stab at procuring a golf-career, returning to the LPGA Tour Q-School, at 53 Althea failed to advance. On the 2nd July 1984, Althea was honoured during The Matches at Wimbledon, where she strode to Centre-Court with a confident gate and beaming smile. She curtsied before The Duke of Kent, president of The All-England LT Club, during the ceremony which marked the centennial year of, The Ladies Championships at Wimbledon. Just a couple of months earlier Althea had regained her amateur golf-status from the USGA. A series of strokes limited her mobility-1992, while mentally agile arthritis confined her to a wheelchair. For most of Altheas' life finances had always been difficult, the biggest problem obviously tennis was an amateur sport, the young lady had no money of her own, this made her reliant on the generosity of others, no-one had ever shown/taught Althea how to use/look-after money, she had a tendency to spend her money as it was given to her, with no thought of the future, or savings in mind, due to the fact her parents had never taught any financial facts. So even though Althea + Angela Buxton were friends, had been since their "Doubles" partnership and finding each other as an African/am + Anglo/Jewess, the bond never broke. So in 1995 when Althea hit an all-time-low, she rang her closest friend Angela Buxton, from a basic rented flat in Orange, New Jersey, to say goodbye-Althea was contemplating suicide. Now Angela takes up the story for you. "She hadn't got the money to pay for rent, for food, or for medication. She wasn't well and she didn't know where any more money was going to come in. So she said she was going away. I said where? She was going to do herself in.((That is very sad, forgotten, ignored, side-tracked by her own community/tennis community-in-general)) She was going to do herself in." Angela managed to convince her friend that suicide was not the route to take, reassuring Althea that she would send her enough money~$1500 to cover that months expenses. "I sent her the money. I intended to do something, but on the spur of the moment I didn't know what." Angela explains. Eventually she came up with a plan. With the help of a journalist friend who was Paul Fein, he took up the banner inserting a letter into the prestigious Tennis Week magazine-8.6.1996 which stated. "I call upon tennis lovers and men and women of good will and compassion to help Althea Gibson, before it is too late. She's financially destitute and emaciated barely 118lbs on her 5' 11'' frame and dispirited. She may not live a lot longer." He asked that contributions be sent to a PO Box, that Angela had opened in East Orange on her behalf. asking them to print a letter outlining Altheas' problem. They heard nothing. Angela continues. "It was very strange. But five months later, out of the blue, I got a call from an American woman playing at Forest Hills. She had seen it on page three, Letters To The Editor-July 1996 and, said she would like to help. Then money started flowing in from all over the world." After initially denying knowing anything about the letters which packed Altheas mailbox, Angela felt guilty about misleading her friend, revealing all, bur Althea intuitively already knew. With Angela already set to be in NYC for that years US Open, the pair spent most of the 2 weeks sitting around the coffee table, at Altheas' home opening all the mail. In all types of currencies, there was close to $1 million. Not only did the money allow Althea to survive, Angela says it allowed Althea to make 2 final lavish purchases, a Cadillac Car/large screen TV, so she could pass her time watching sport. Angela claims a number of high-profile tennis stars ignored Altheas' plea for financial help, but for her intervention, which she believes gave the Shero "another 8 years of life." What would Althea have said if she could have seen a life-size monument of herself , being unveiled at the home of the USTA-70 years after she was not even allowed to play at the US Open? Angela takes barely a second to think before answering. "Oh, she would probably say its about time too. Because she wasn't against blowing her own trumpet. Finally other people are doing it for her."(silo.pub/the-match-althea-gibson-and-angela-a-portrait-of-a-friendship.html story of Altheas + Angelas 50 year friendship). Althea wrote in her autobiography "I Always Wanted To Be Somebody : Angela was an exception. Althea and Angela travelled together, played together, lived together. She referred to Violet Buxton, Angelas' Mother as Mom, and considered the apartment at Rossmore Court((off Park Road, NW1 6XX)), London, her second home. Although they only played together as doubles partners, through a handful of games from the Paris Indoors in February, through to Wimbledon in early-July their friendship was lived so much longer." Althea Neale Gibson has been inducted into several Halls of Fame, but I do not have dates for them all. (1) International Tennis Hall of Fame-1971. (2) International Womens Sports Hall of Fame-1980. (3)National Womens Hall of Fame-2001. (4) National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame-30-8-2001 (5) Greater Wilmington Hall of Fame-2007 (6)New Jersey Hall of Fame-3-5-2009 (7)Womens Colleigate Tennis Hall of Fame (8) Black Athletes Hall of Fame (9) Florida State Womens Hall of Fame (10) Florida Sports Hall of Fame (11) South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame. ALSO, The 1ST AF/am to be honoured with a ticker-tape parade in New York City-11-7-1957(archives.nyc/blog/2021/8/26/remembering-althea-gibson). Twice became The Associate Press Athlete of the Year-1957 +1958. Twice selected as The Babe Didrikson Zaharias Athlete of the Year. Appeared twice on the cover of Time Magazine 26-8-1957 & 17-12-1965. Once on the cover of Sports Illustrated-2-9-1957. RANKED NUMBER 1 INTERNATIONALLY 1957 + 1958. On the cover the BBC Radio Times magazine-1958. On the cover of Jet Magazine twice 1957 + 7-8-1958. Althea Neale Gibson suffered 2 aneurysms/stroke, respiratory + bladder infections, fatally passed away in Orange General Hospital. Altheas' body was Laid-in-State at The Newark Museum. Althea is buried next to her 1st husband Will Darben(3-3-1925 to 13-9-1995) at : Rosedale Cemetery, Montclair, Essex County, New Jersey. Memorial ID : 7919058. ALTHEA NEALE GIBSON died as an epitome/icon of grace, serenity, integrity, in East Orange, New Jersey. She played the game of her life with dignity, just wanting to be able to live a normal life. Not claiming any special rules for herself, nor being in conflict about being an African/am female athlete. I have a few Headlines to share through the years of Altheas' turbulent sporting life. (1) Detroit Tribune 5-8-1950 Miss Gibson Cracks Tennis Bars Defeats her First Opponent. First to Compete in USLTA Meet. (2) The Vancouver Sun, Canada, Wednesday 23-8-1950 Page 18 Althea Gibson becomes first African American woman accepted to US national lawn tennis championships. (3)Baltimore Afro-American 30-1-1951 Althea Gibson Replies to Open Letter of Alice Marble. (4) Baltimore Afro-American Tuesday 19-6-1956 Althea Gibson arrived on the Continent a decided underdog. (5) Springfield Republican , Massachusetts, 8-7-1956 Althea Gibson -tennis star 1st Negro Wimbledon win((refers to Althea/Angelas double title at The Frech Open)). (6) Star Tribune Minneapolis Sunday 7-7-1957 Page 25 Althea Gibson Has Her Day, "Wins Wimbledon Singles." (7) Evening Star Washington DC 7-7-1957 Althea Scored Double, Misses Mixed Crown. (8) Illustrated London News 12-7-1958 Althea Gibson Wins Again at Wimbledon. (9) Jackson Advocate Mississippi 20-7-1957 Broadway Parade Honours Tennis Queen. (10) Evening Star Washington DC 9-9-1957 "Words Can't Express Feelings((played in front of President D. Eisenhower with v/President R. Nixon presenting Althea with the US National Championship trophy)). (11) Detroit Tribune Saturday 23-11-1963 Page 3 Business Queen-Miss Sharon Miller, Montclair NJ won the title of "Miss B + P" Woman of the Year, at a recent meeting of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Womens Clubs, in Washington DC. During ceremonies at the Statler-Hilton Hotel, the young lady is crowned by tennis great Althea Gibson, Miss Gibson is a community relations representative for Ward "Tip Top"Bread. (12) New York Times 6-8-1966 Page 42 Althea Gibson 68 SETS COURSE MARK. (13) Journal and Courier Lafayette, Indiana, Althea Gibson Fires 68 In Carling Open. (14) Daily Capital News Wednesday 5-4-1967 Althea Gibson becomes member of golf tour. (15) Fort Wayne Frost Illustrated Wednesday 22-10-2003 Althea Gibson remembered Tributes poured in to honour African American. (16) New York Times 26-8-2019 Althea Gibson, Tennis Star Ahead of Her Time, Gets Her Due at Last. ((this headline refers to the statue installed at Forest Hills, in memory to Althea Gibson)). The great, astounding Serena Williams would like to say something. "Althea Gibson paved the way for all women of colour in sport. She won Wimbledon in 1958. I have held the same plate. Thank you Althea." (1) FRIDAY 3-8-2013 Release Number 13-068. FLUSHING NY.ON THE GROUNDS OF THE US OPEN BILLIE JEAN KING AND KATRINA ADAMS WILL PAY TRIBUTE AT 10am on the 1st day of issuing the Forever Stamp dedicated and honouring tennis icon/legend Althea Gibson. The Postal Service will also honour Althea Gibson at a special stamp dedication ceremony Saturday 24-8-2013 at the Althea Gibson Tennis Complex, Essex County Branch, Brook Park, Newark, NJ. "I'm excited that the Postal Service is releasing a Forever stamp that honours the legacy of my friend Althea Gibson. Her achievements served as a catalyst, for equality in sports and in life and I am honoured to participate in this historic event.(if you would like to see the stamp : usps.com/postal-bulletin/2013/pb22368/html/info_007.htm) (2) ALTHEA GIBSON sculpture unveiled on Day One of the 2019 US Open.(usopen.org/en_us/news/articles/2019-08-26/althea_gibson_sculpture_unveiled_o) (3) 110% LIFE-SIZE BRONZE SCULPTURE of ALTHEA GIBSON (warrensculpture.com/project/althea-gibson-memorial) (4) ALTHEA GIBSON finally gets her due-a US Open statue(amsterdamnews.com/news/2019/08/29/althea-gibson-finally-gets-her-due-us-o) (5) See some sepia photos of Althea at : voanews.com/a/sixty-years-ago-althea-gibson-became-first-african-american-to) Althea was 36 when she made her 1st LPGA Tour start, stirring the golf world in profound ways, revealing a strength of character from scratching out a living in golf in 1963. Althea wrote in biography, "I Always Wanted To Be Somebody : Its why ever since I was a wild arrogant girl in my teens, I played stickball ans basketball and baseball and paddle tennis and, hung around bowling alleys half the night." Althea learnt to box initially from her father as a self-defence tactic. But she would later befriend Sugar Ray Robinson, a relationship that eventually propelled her to become the New Jersey Athletic Commissioner-in-charge of all boxing matches, in the state. Then Miss Althea Gibson will have the last definitive word in her life-cycle. "In sports, you simply aren't considered a real champion until you have defended your title successfully. Winning it once can be a fluke; winning it twice proves you are the best." DOCTOR SHARON MALOTTE MEDICAL DIRECTOR/HEALTH OFFICER 1ST NATION-TEMOAK/WESTERN SHOSHONES BORN 1955(cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_210.html superb photo in tribal/native dress) Sharon was born in Nevada, a member of the TeMoak Band of Western Shoshones, of The South Fork Indian Reservation. Her mother Barbara Malotte Pete/grandmother Ruby Ridley were both nurses. Sharon wanted to be a doctor from the age of 5. Sharon studied at The University of Nevada-Reno; completing pre-medicine courses at the University of North Dakota-Grand Forks. Her eldest daughter Bhie-Ceie Naive Malotte-Ledesma-born 1980. In 1985 Sharon completed her undergraduate degree in human biology at Stanford University. Sharon then enrolled at The University of North Dakota School of Medicine, receiving her M.D. degree-1989. Doctor Malotte completed residencies of internal medicine at The University of Nevada-Reno1991/University of San Francisco Fresno1993. Dr. Malotte then served as medical director of The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Health Clinic Schurz, Nevada, providing health care to the reservation community as the only family practitioner at the clinic. Sharon then went on a 2 year post at a rural Indian Health Service Clinic, a year at an urban clinic both in California, to fulfil scholarship obligations from her graduate years. Then 1998 Doctor Malotte moved back to Nevada, to take up the post of "Rite of Passage Medical Consultant," at an adolescent treatment facility. Her 2nd daughter Darcy Rose Malotte-Emm-b1995. Since that time Doctor Malotte has remained in Nevada, currently as an internist/emergency staff physician at Battle Mountain General Hospital. She is also the medical director of the Long Term Care Facility too. 2001, Sharon volunteered as the Lander County Health Officer. Sharon maintains a strong connection with her 1st Nation Heritage, as well as other connected pastimes. In 1977 Sharon was named "Miss Indian Nevada" & "Miss Nevada Indian Rodeo Association." Today keeping those long term heritage themes, she coaches her youngest daughter, in the art/skills/complexities of barrel-racing/pole-bending/goat tying + roping, for junior competition. Doctor Sharon Malotte is a member of The Association of American Indian Physicians. Also serving as a Native American Representative to the, Governing Committee of the Minority Affairs Consortium of the American Medical Association. She is proud to be a role model for 1st Nation women and men, frequently giving presentations at local high schools for career day events. She is also aware of her influences on a day-to-day basis, makin a difference. "By being an identifiable minority person, with a high profile, an obviously prestigious job and, being a real person that other people can identify with."