[WardFive] Local Black History- I Found This and Thought You Might Appreciate It - History

Please share your comment. Below are comments I received.

 

Comments:

I love old photos.  In fact, I took a charm course from Precola DeVore.  Brings back memories. Nadine Robinson

 

Is this the Mrs. Ruth Cohen from Union, South Carolina? If so, she is a friend of my parents (both deceased). I grew up near 20th & Perry Sts., N.E.   Doris Greer

 

It's so good of you to share these nostalgic photos, which underscore the deep roots of community involvement down through the years.  Many people think that community engagement didn't start until recently, so photos like this remind us of our long-standing legacy of commitment to our neighborhoods and the larger community.  Thanks.  Hazel Thomas

 

I remember a couple of the ladies . . .  Now; this is a flash from the pass. .  P. S.  Ms. Hamlin was one of my teachers. Didn't she have a daughter or niece name,   Brenda? 

 

This is great Shirley.  Let me know if someone sheds light on the photos.  I hope people everywhere are going through their parents and grandparents materials like this before they are lost forever.  Thanks so much for sharing.  Barbara Dunn

 

 

 

 

From: Shirley Smith [mailto:srs-usasc@rcn.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 30, 2016 8:59 PM
Subject: Local Black History- I Found This and Thought You Might Appreciate It - History
Importance: High

 

 

 

This is important to see and read about our history in our community.  If you recognize any of the people and they still live in the comunity please let me know.  

 

 

 Hi Shirley,

 

I decided to open a drawer that I haven't opened in decades and found the attach page from "Checkmate".  The attached photos are from my past and they show the ladies who, in addition to my mother, contributed to my development (the neighborhood mothers) and I believe they contributed "mightily" to the strength, beauty and continuity of our immediate neighborhood and the Woodridge community in general; collectively they were know as "The Good Neighbors Club" . These three photos show them as a group in the 1960's (?), The Good Neighbors Club, "Checkmate"(?), the other two photos are snapshots from their NAACP Tea, fund raiser(s) during the 1960's.   I recall at least two Good Neighbor's Club NAACP Teas- I, along with some other neighborhood young ladies had to serve guest at the teas; the activities included a fashion show presented by the DeVore (Precola DeVore) models and art display presented by my late brother -in- law, Nathaniel Briscoe.  The "tea" took place in the back yards of three neighbors on 24th Street NE, Mrs. Matilda Jackson, Mrs. Ruth Cohen and my mother, Mrs. Mary White.  These homes are adjacent to each other and a different activity was presented in each yard, i.e. tea, punch and food at Mrs. Jackson's; fashion show from Mrs. Cohen's home and art displayed in Mrs. White's back yard and on the front of each yard

 

I have many fond memories of neighborhood Halloween parties; picnics in Rock Creek Park; and watching the adults go out to their neighborhood Christmas and/or New Year's party (ies).  So thank you for allowing me to share with you, I thought you might appreciate this because of your community activist activity and your affiliation with the NAACP.

 

 

Sheila D.

 

I thank Sheila D for sharing.  

 

Shirley Rivens Smith, President 

North Woodridge Citizens

2000 Upshur St., NE

Washington, DC 20018

202-635-3138