Mary Hester Smith

Mrs. Mary Hester Smith was born March 23, 1918 in Springfield, Ohio. As a child, she lived in a large house in a predominately white community in Ohio. Mrs. Smith's father died when she was four years old so her mother moved to Durham to work for Dr. Shepard, the founder of NCCU. Mrs. Smith stayed in Ohio with her grandmother. Mrs. Smith and her grandmother came to Durham later when Mrs. Smith was 5 years old. Mrs. Smith lived in a more diversified community in Durham as opposed to the community she had left in Ohio. Mrs. Smith went to college in Ohio and after she graduated, she became a teacher. After desegregation, Mrs. Smith recognized that many black students were still mistreated by white teachers. Mrs. Smith took an active role in the school system and was able to implement the first integrated student council. Mrs. Smith married Mr. John Smith on June 29, 1946. She did not have any children of her own but has step children. Mrs. Smith still lives in Durham and has a long and detailed memory of her life and what life was like for African-Americans in the South before the Civil Rights Movement. Mrs. Smith is now retired but she volunteers in several organizations and is still a member of White Rock Baptist Church.

interviewed by Nicole Spira

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