Clark, Septima, April 12, 1976
Scope and Contents
The Avery Research Center Averyite oral histories collection contains 23 oral history interviews arranged in six series according to the decade that the interviews were conducted. A majority of the oral histories were conducted by Avery Research Center employees, but there are also a handful of oral histories that were done independently of the Avery Research Center and later donated that are included in this collection. Within each series, the oral histories are arranged alphabetically by last name. Greater detail about the contents of each oral history can be found at the file level abstract of each oral history interview. Each oral history, when available, includes a transcript and any supporting documentation like questions, notes, and interview release forms. Transcripts do not currently exist for every interview and work to create them is ongoing.
The contents of the oral histories vary greatly with the Avery Normal Institute and its impact on the interviewees' lives often being mentioned, but not always the focus. Other topics covered in the oral histories include participation in the Civil Rights Movement, careers in the military and public education, the history of Sullivan's Island, Charleston neighborhoods, social customs, and activism.
Series I: Oral History Interviews, 1976
Series II: Oral History Interviews, 1986-1987
Series III: Oral History Interviews, 1996-1997
Series IV: Oral History Interviews, 2000-2009
Series V: Oral History Interviews, 2015
Series VI: Oral History Interviews, Undated
Dates
- Creation: 1976
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions to this collection; however, a cassette player is required to listen to the audiocassette tapes. A cassette player will be made available to researchers in our reading room.
Full Extent
From the Collection: .209 linear feet (1 half Hollinger box, 23 audiocassettes, 1 videocassette, and 2.62 gigabytes (audio and transcripts))
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Abstract
This interview with Septima Poinsette Clark emphasizes her years as a teacher and educator. It recounts Clark’s experience teaching at Avery in 1919, after the ban of Black teachers being allowed to teach in segregated Black schools was finally successfully petitioned and lifted. Clark also talks about her various teaching experiences at other places in South Carolina, specifically in Columbia. During the interview, Clark recounts how she was banned from teaching in the city of Charleston in 1956, since the State of South Carolina prohibited any city employee of Charleston from being a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Clark then tells in detail about the fearful climate among Black teachers between 1947-1956, as well as the efforts to establish a Credit Union for Black teachers so that they could finish their degrees. After 1956, Clark did not teach in South Carolina anymore; instead, she taught at Highlander Folk Schools, and various other places throughout Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, and California. Clark also refers to the struggle for equal pay between Black and white teachers. Before the tape breaks up, Clark mentions her feelings towards the College of Charleston and not being able to attend/or teach, as well as her pride in being a member of the NAACP and fighting for equal rights.
The oral history is conducted by an unidentified person.
Repository Details
Part of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture Repository
125 Bull Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424 United States
843-953-7608
averyresearchcenter@cofc.edu