Activities Among Negroes
Oakland was visited during the past week by Attorney Violet Anderson, of Chicago, Ill., who has the distinction of being the first Negro woman attorney to be admitted to practice before the United States supreme court. She was first a stenographer then a court reporter and afterwards studied and was admitted to the bar. Later practiced for years in all the courts of Illinois finally winning the honor which had been accorded few women of any race.
Attorney Anderson, has been active in Y. W. C. A. work in Chicago and is the founder of the "Big Sister" movement among Negroes in that city. The experience while a court reporter led her to the idea for the necessity of a home to care for unfortunate women wards of the court. There were many social functions honoring her during her brief visit to Oakland, alter spending the winter in Los Angeles. Among the most elaborate was the banquet given by Attorney Virginia Stephens. This was attended by all the Negro attorneys and their wives of the bay district. Afterwards many short addresses were given on the conditions of the race and the outlook in northern California. On Tuesday morning Attorney Anderson and Attorney Virginia Stephen were the guests of Delilah L. Beasley at The TRIBUNE where they made a tour of the plant. Attorney Anderson left that night for her home in Chicago.
BETTER HOMES WEEK
The national observance of "Better Homes In America," opened in this city on Monday and was observed with a program every afternoon in the auditorium of H. C. Capwell's. The program for Tuesday was sponsored by Delilah Beasley on "What Better Homes Mean to Negro Citizens." It consisted of short addresses and music. Special mention must be made of the vocal selection rendered by Miss Melba Miller, accompanied by Miss Clare Valentine, the selection was very appropriate for the occasion, "A Cottage for Sale," by Mary Conley in first address was given by Father David R. Wallace, on "Better Homes," and the "National Association for the Advancement Colored People." He is a past president of the local branch of this organization and said in part:
"I must differentiate between better houses and better homes. I am interested in both. Better houses do not mean better homes, and very fine homes may be found in very poor houses. America needs both and all Americans regardless of race and color are entitled to both.
"The Negro is interested in all that goes to make up a better American life. He was forcibly torn from his native habitant and the conditions of slavery which followed obliterated all recollections of his former ties. He knows no other condition of life than he finds here. The house slave and later the domestic servant became familiar with the best houses and having a natural capacity for appreciation. It is not surprising that a desire of the best for his own should develop. Why should he not resent being herded into slums where housing is poor, streets unpaved and where crime and vice are permitted to concentrate? He has sought to move into better neighborhoods not to seek social intermingling, but to provide decent home surroundings for children with sanitary houses kept in repair and painted. He does not believe that living in the same neighborhood means that he must be received socially. He is willing to submit to the test of character, but not to that of race or color.
"The Negro has earned the right to all the good things that America affords. Finding that he is deprived of these on account of his race, he has united in the N. A. A. C. P. Some of the best work of this organization has been in opposing residential segregation. In winning the Louisville segregation case before the supreme court, it has made it unlawful for cities to attempt segregation by ordinance, however, it has not yet presented its case against block and covenant agreements."
A well prepared paper was read by Mrs. Melba Stafford, of the Fanny J. Coppin club. This club at every meeting during the past year have a study period on the home, from the family budget to the artistic, and not gaudy decoration of the home. This paper was well received.
MOTHER'S DAY
According to Mrs. Lawrence Sledge, the Federated club women will observe Mother's day with a mass meeting and a program befitting the occasion. Mrs. Mattie Dixon of Thirty-fourth street will be chairman. The time and date will be announced later.
DEAN PICKENS SPEAKS
Considerable interest is being manifested by both groups of citizens on the coming annual visit and lecture to be given Wednesday evening in Herbert Hoover junior school by Dean William Pickens field secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Dr. F. Nelson, president of the local branch and Mrs. Martin, secretary, state that all will be welcome to attend this meeting and also take out a membership as the branch is in the midst of a membership drive. This organization is also inter-racial.
NEGRO CHORUS SINGS
"The Negro singers of the East bay cities are rendering a distinct service to the community as will be attested from the following news item: 'The Eastbay Negro Male chorus under the direction of Rev. Owen Troy has been doing some splendid ensemble singing in the northern California district. These twenty elders have been giving programs before various organizations and churches, having appeared with noteworthy success in Ukiah, Vallejo, San Francisco and over the radio. They received much praise when they appeared recently at the Berkeley Art museum's Sunday afternoon concert. Late Sunday afternoon they triumphed in San Francisco sharing the honors with Attorney Van Wyck at the Booker T. Washington community center. In the evening they sang before a large audience in Hamilton hall. They have only been organized for a year, during which time they have become known as the leading Negro male chorus west of Chicago."
Activities Among Negroes/Sun, May 04, 1930 04 May 1930, Sun Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com
