Collection Title: Jackson Purchase Oral History Project - Lifestyles
Series Number: OH094
Interviewee: Bates, Mary F.
Interviewer: Marable, A. C.
Date interviewed: November 30, 1979
Processed by: Tara Marcum
Date processed: April 18, 2011
Description: 1 sound disc (51 minutes)
Abstract: Mary Bates discusses her experiences as a teacher in Paducah, Kentucky from the 1940s to the 1980s. She details her family history, early childhood, and involvement in the community and church organizations. She also reminisces about the Great Depression and the civil rights movement in Paducah during the 1960s.
Biographical / Historical note: Mary Bates was born at Paducah, Kentucky on August 16, 1920. Her mother was a domestic worker. Her father worked for railroad shops until he became a church minister. She was a member of the Washington Street Baptist Church for over 50 years. She taught Sunday school, managed sponsored programs and served as the church historian. She received her undergraduate at Lincoln University and acquired a Masters degree at the University of Cincinnati. She taught at public schools in the City of Paducah for 42 years. Bates served as the president of the Women’s Missionary Union, was the Vice President of Church Women United and was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
General information: No user access to original recordings. Use audio user copies, digital derivatives, transcripts, and/or tape indexes. This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Permission for reproduction must be requested from Murray State University.
Subject Headings / Descriptors:
Bates, Mary F. (1920- )
Paducah (Ky.) – History.
African Americans – Kentucky – Paducah.
Public schools – Kentucky – Paducah.
Race relations – Kentucky – Paducah.
African Americans – Education – Kentucky – Paducah.
Washington Street Baptist Church (Paducah, Ky.)
Baptists – Kentucky – Paducah.
