A WOMAN OF TUSKEGEE

As we all celebrate one of the newest national holidays declared in 2021, Juneteenth, there are no living persons who remember experiencing June 19, 1865. However, there are those who vividly recall its celebration and importance while living here today in California.

Many Californians born in Texas have known the day was celebrated for over a century and a half as the day those who were slaves in Texas first learned of their emancipation. Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger had landed at Galveston, Texas, with news the war had ended and that the slaves were now free. News had traveled slow and the war was already over. It had been more than three years since the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed.

Those African American Californians among us who are celebrated centenarians have memories of their own family and community celebrations of Juneteenth dating as far back as the 1920s. One such person is Dorothy Maye Gaithers of Placentia, CA, who was born in Jefferson, Texas, in February of 1921.

“My great-aunt has lived to be 102 years old. Although not enslaved herself, she was raised by those who had known its dishonorable legacy. She has lived through segregation in the South. First as a high school student and then as a college student,” says Lutheran Social Services of Southern California’s Chief of Operations, Tiffany Mitchell, Ph.D.

Born in Texas as the third and youngest child of Robert and Eva Spencer Jordan, during her early years, Dorothy spent time on a farm with her maternal grandparents, who shared stories and family history. An extremely bright child, when her family moved to Dallas, Texas, Dorothy was allowed to skip second grade at Whitley Elementary. Upon entering Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas, Dorothy auditioned for the prestigious school choir, The Ambassadors. She was placed in the soprano section and thoroughly enjoyed performances at the school and in the community. Abraham Lincoln High School was the second high school in Dallas built for “Negroes”. Dorothy transferred and was in the first graduating class in June 1939.

Her high school academic success earned her a scholarship to Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. As a freshman, Dorothy became a soloist in the renowned Tuskegee Choir, directed by William L. Dawson. She majored and excelled in home economics and social studies. While there, she was known as a leader and even served breakfast to the renowned scientist, Dr. George Washington Carver who was a professor, researcher, and head of the Agricultural Department at Tuskegee.

"Texas was the first state to officially recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday, in 1979. Prior to that Blacks had celebrated Juneteenth unofficially since 1865. I remember the celebrations as very festive occasions with family and friends. Activities included music, games, popping small firecrackers, story/joke telling and feasting