Mesa Historical Society
Organization
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Oral history interview with Ms. Veora Johnson, 2001 April 19, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MSAoh-j638a-V01
Abstract
Johnson details her education in Texas and tells of her move to Mesa, Arizona, to teach public school. She discusses the history of the Mesa school system during segregation and after. She describes when the schools were integrated and what it was like being the first African American teacher at the Irving School. Johnson also gives some history of the Washington area and talks about race relations in Mesa.
Dates:
2001 April 19; Digitization: 2006 March
Oral history of Angy Booker, 2002 June 15, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MSAoh-j638a-V02
Abstract
Booker, born in Naco, Arizona, talks about her family's history and her experiences as an African American woman in early Mesa. Her great-grand parents were slaves, and her grandfather and father were Buffalo Soldiers in the army. Her mother did laundry for a living, including for the O.S. Stapley family. She describes early downtown Mesa and mentions some businesses such as Everybody's Drugstore, the post office, J.C. Penney's, the hospital, and some churches. Booker discusses race...
Dates:
2002 June 15; Digitization: 2006 March