Vivian Spearman oral history interview

Vivian Spearman oral history interview, 1968

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Spearman, Vivian
Title: Vivian Spearman oral history interview
Dates: 1968 (inclusive)
19681968
Quantity: 1 sound cassette (60 min.)
Collection Number: 4905 (Accession No. 4905-001)
Summary: Tape-recorded interview of African-American Seattle community member discussing her childhood in Seattle, her education and her voluntary work
Repository: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions: Open to all users.
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

African-American Seattle community member.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Tape recorded interview conducted by Larry Gossett on 5 Mar 1968.

Mrs. Spearman discusses her childhood in Seattle (ca. 1906-1915) where she lived at 2427 Day Street with her parents, sister and two brothers. Her father was a street paver. There is a lot of discussion of Mrs. Spearman's experience in elementary and high school with predominantly Italian and white student bodies. She also discusses her heavy involvement in church life at Afro-Methodist Church and other volunteer work. She talks about relationships between Jews and Blacks, and Southern Blacks who immigrated to Seattle during the Depression. Her husband discusses stevedore work and unions during World War I. Mrs. Spearman talks about her feelings towards current Black national figures such as Adam Clayton Powell, Joe Lewis, and Martin Luther King.

The second side of the tape is not very audible due to speed malfunction.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Listen to the audio recording of this interview on the Libraries Digital Collections site.

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

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