Interview with Virginia Anderson, August 22, 1986

Interview Summary

Virginia Hawkins Anderson was born in Fayette County, Kentucky in 1907. She reflects upon her educational background at Bracktown Elementary and Louisville Central High School, as well as the background of her parents and grandparents. Her father raised hogs, performed handyman jobs, and served as a deacon in the church. Mrs. Anderson looks back on her childhood, the relationship between neighbors in Bracktown, and the changes which have taken place within the community. She recounts the stories of white ancestors within the Hawkins family and other family history. The Bracktown Violet Social Club is recalled, as is the one room building which served as a school house.

Mrs. Anderson discusses both her work as a domestic and the white employees who have worked for her, recounts her relationships with whites, and talks about selling land in Bracktown. While not recalling segregation on the Lexington buses, she does remember the African American boycott of Purcell's store, the businesses owned by African Americans on Deweese Street, and her non-participation in the civil rights movement.

Interview Keyword

African American churches--Kentucky African American families African Americans--Employment. African Americans--Social conditions. Race discrimination.

Interview LC Subject

Anderson, Virginia Anderson, Virginia--Interviews Integration Racism Segregation in education--Kentucky Race relations--Kentucky

Interview Rights

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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.