Interview with Rosetta Beatty, February 2, 2009

Interview Summary

Rosetta Beatty was born in Versailles, Kentucky and moved to Lexington after finishing school. In this interview she talks about living in the Aspendale area, including discussion of renting and owning homes, the schools her children attended, and what her neighbors were like. She talks about her husband's jobs and his decision to become a preacher. She talks about the jobs she held over the years, including as a domestic worker and as a nurse. She talks about her relationships with the people she worked for.

Beatty describes the East End neighborhood in detail, including shops, theaters, and other businesses on each street. She discusses which businesses were owned by African Americans. She talks about how the area has changed over the years and which buildings have been torn down.

She talks about her life experiences, what it was like to see Barack Obama elected president, and what advice she would give to young people today.

Interview Keyword

African Americans East End Lexington, Ky. Race relations

Interview LC Subject

African Americans--Social conditions Beatty, Rosetta Beatty, Rosetta--Interviews Lexington (Ky.). African Americans African Americans--Race identity

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

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