Interview with Virginia S. McDonald, July 1, 1978

Partial Transcript: My name is Edward Owens. I'm working with the Urban League on the Oral Black History Project.

Segment Synopsis: Virginia McDonald is introduced. She talks about where she attended school in Lexington, Kentucky and says she also attended Kentucky State University.

Keywords: Douglass School (Lexington, Ky.); Dunbar School; Public school system; Students

Subjects: African American college graduates--Kentucky; African Americans--Education.; Kentucky State University; Librarians.; Minority librarians; School librarians; School libraries.

Partial Transcript: What were the teaching conditions like in the all-Black schools?

Segment Synopsis: McDonald talks about the facilities and class sizes in the African American schools prior to integration.

Keywords: All-Black schools; Class size; Equipment; Facilities; Resources; Superintendents

Subjects: African Americans--Education.; African Americans--Segregation; African Americans--Social conditions.; Discrimination in education.; Race discrimination.; Segregation in education--Kentucky; Teachers--Kentucky; Teaching

Partial Transcript: Let's talk about the library in particular for a minute.

Segment Synopsis: McDonald talks about whether the Black school libraries had the same resources as the white schools. She talks about the merger of city and county schools.

Keywords: City schools; Contact; County schools; Douglass School (Lexington, Ky.); Dunbar School; Lafayette High School (Lexington, Ky.)

Subjects: African Americans--Education.; African Americans--Segregation; African Americans--Social conditions.; Discrimination in education.; Librarians.; Minority librarians; Race discrimination.; School librarians; School libraries.; Segregation in education--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: How did the conditions change over time in the all-Black schools?

Segment Synopsis: McDonald talks about race relations and the conditions in the newly integrated schools. She talks about extracurricular activities that were available in the all-Black schools.

Keywords: All-Black schools; Basketball; Black community; Black teachers; Changes; Conditions; Douglass School (Lexington, Ky.); Elite; Extracurricular activities; Reception; Speech Club; Transfers; White teachers

Subjects: African Americans--Education.; African Americans--Recreation; African Americans--Segregation; African Americans--Social conditions.; Discrimination in education.; Lexington (Ky.)--Race relations.; Librarians.; Minority librarians; Race discrimination.; School integration--Kentucky--Fayette County; School librarians; Segregation in education--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: During the 1960s and the civil rights movement, did the Board of Education frown on teachers taking part in the movement in Lexington?

Segment Synopsis: McDonald talks about why teachers may not have participated in civil rights marches.

Keywords: Board of Education; Lexington (Ky.); Montgomery (Ala.); Participation; Protest marches; Working

Subjects: African Americans--Social conditions.; Civil rights demonstrations; Civil rights movements--United States; Teachers--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: How has education changed from when you first started as a librarian?

Segment Synopsis: McDonald talks about how education has changed over time, and says that students' attitudes are different today. She names some of the teachers she worked with that she believes were outstanding. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: All-Black schools; Attitudes; Changes; Discipline; Douglass School (Lexington, Ky.); Impolite; Outstanding teachers; Parents; Quality of education; Receptive

Subjects: African American families; African Americans--Education.; Lexington (Ky.)--Race relations.; Teachers--Kentucky