Interview with Patricia R. Laine, August 6, 1986

Interview Summary

Mrs. Laine recalls family history, ancestors who were slaves of the Alexander family in Woodford County, and remembers her parents and grandparents. She reminisces about her childhood on Spring Station Road, having to walk to school while school busses passed by, and shares memories of family social activities. She discusses Pilgrim Baptist Church in Midway and examines the role of the African American church within the community. Mrs. Laine talks about the lack of segregation in rural areas as opposed to urban communities, recalls the segregation she encountered in Lexington, especially her experiences with the Hillenmeyer family where she was employed as a maid. She opened a beauty shop in the segregated ward at Eastern State Hospital and also worked at the Federal Narcotics Medical Center on Leestown Road. At both sites she faced covert racism. Mrs. Laine recounts the problems between different social classes and races of prisoners, and the effect of the civil rights movement upon African American education and businesses.

Interview Keyword

African Americans African Americans in Lexington Lexington, Kentucky Race relations

Interview LC Subject

African American families African Americans--Civil rights--Kentucky African Americans--Education--Kentucky--Lexington African Americans--Kentucky--Lexington--Economic conditions African Americans--Race identity. African Americans--Religion African Americans. Laine, Patricia R. Laine, Patricia R.--Interviews

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.