Interview with Frances S. Smallwood, March 9, 2004

Interview Summary

At the time of this interview, Frances A. Smallwood was 91 years old. She was an African American woman who served as a school nurse for the Fayette County Health Department for several decades. In this interview, Mrs. Smallwood discusses her experiences with Tuskegee University during her childhood. She talks about nightlife in Lexington, Kentucky in the 1940s, and describes nightclubs and dance facilities that were active then. She talks about dressing up for weekend dances, and about how African American women shopped in downtown department stores for evening gowns before integration. She had a splendid collection of gowns with matching shoes, gloves, and jewelry. She talks about other aspects of her personal life as well.

Interview Keyword

Nightlife Shopping Clothing and dress Social activities Booker T. Washington Race discrimination Race relations--Kentucky Racism

Interview LC Subject

African Americans--Education African Americans--Segregation African Americans--Social life and customs Integration Lexington (Ky.)--Race relations African American families African American universities and colleges Washington, Booker T., 1856-1915 Tuskegee (Ala.) Tuskegee University Nurses. African Americans--Social conditions African American neighborhoods

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 only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.