Thelma Turner, 1976 February 4
Abstract
Thelma Turner was a citizen of Baltimore in her youth and again later as an adult during the civil rights movement. In this oral history interview, Turner discusses what it was like to grow up as a Black child in Baltimore and how the prejudices and segregation affected her and her family. Turner recalls the barriers Blacks faced in accessing public parks, businesses, and restaurants. She highlights prominent figures like Governor Theodore R. McKeldin (1900-1974) and civil rights activist Lillie May Carroll Jackson(1889-1975), discussing their roles in the era. Turner further delves into her memories of the civil rights movement in Baltimore, recounting the riots that marked its later years. She recounts how her church and community became involved in the movement, sharing information and support among themselves. Lastly, Turner offers her perspective on the impact of the civil rights movement and riots on herself, her community, and the broader societal changes that ensued for Blacks in Baltimore.
Dates
- 1976 February 4
Creator
- Turner, Thelma (Narrator, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use.
Extent
45 Minutes (Audio recording)
11 Pages (Transcript)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Scope and Contents
This collection is comprised of 87 oral history interviews and 4 other related items. Materials available for the interviews include audio recordings, transcripts, tape indexes, newspaper clippings, biographical information, and interview evaluations. Each item record indicates whether a complete transcript or an uncorrected transcript is available for an oral history.
All recordings within the collection are digitized and continue to be added to MCHC's Digital Collections portal.
Interviews were conducted from 1975-1977, with some earlier recordings made prior to the project added to the collection. Narrators range from leaders in the Maryland civil rights movement and local activists, to people opposed to the movement. Narrators include Lillie May Carroll Jackson’s children: Juanita Jackson Mitchell, Virginia Jackson Kiah, and Bowen Keiffer Jackson; Parren Mitchell, U.S. Congressman, 1971-1987; Donald G. Murray, the first African American admitted to the University of Maryland Law School; Verda Welcome, one of the first Black women to be elected to a state Senate; Thomas J. D’Alesandro III, mayor of Baltimore, 1967-1971; Clarence Mitchell, Jr., chief lobbyist to the NAACP; Vernon Naimaster, Great Titan of the Maryland Ku Klux Klan; and Dr. J.E.T. Camper, a prominent physician who also devoted his career to seeking racial justice and equality.
In addition to these oral history interviews, there are four items related to the project that are included with the collection. There is an audio recording of a radio program on which narrators David Glenn and Judge Robert Watts appeared to discuss the McKeldin-Jackson project with host Alan Christian. There is an audio recording as well as textual materials from the colloquium and exhibition held at the Maryland Historical Society to commemorate the McKeldin-Jackson project on November 16, 1976. There is also a research paper written by a Goucher College student on Theodore R. McKeldin and the civil rights movement in Maryland and a binder containing information on the development and progress of the McKeldin-Jackson project.
Creator
- Turner, Thelma (Narrator, Person)
- Olgyay, Joy (Interviewer, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository
H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Avenue
Baltimore MD 21201 United States
4106853750
specialcollections@mdhistory.org