Mary Jenkins oral history interview conducted by Will Griffin in Albany, Georgia, 2013-03-09.

Mary Jenkins describes Albany, Georgia, during her childhood and discusses moments when she encountered racial prejudice. She describes her education in all-black schools, her decision to attend Fisk University, and her longing to become a teacher. Around the time of Brown v. Board of Education, she began teaching in Georgia and witnessed negative reactions of white administrators to the decision. Jenkins describes her decision to join the Albany Movement, and she shares memories of working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Summary: Mary Jenkins describes Albany, Georgia, during her childhood and discusses moments when she encountered racial prejudice. She describes her education in all-black schools, her decision to attend Fisk University, and her longing to become a teacher. Around the time of Brown v. Board of Education, she began teaching in Georgia and witnessed negative reactions of white administrators to the decision. Jenkins describes her decision to join the Albany Movement, and she shares memories of working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Biographical History: Mary Jenkins was a civil rights activist in Albany, Georgia. She attended Fisk University and Georgia State University and worked as a teacher. She is the author of Open Dem Cells: A Pictoral History of the Albany Movement.
Acquisition Note: The Civil Rights History Project is a joint project of the American Folklife Center, Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture to collect video and audio recordings of personal histories and testimonials of individuals who participated in the Civil Rights movement.
Existence and Location of Copies: Copies of items are also held at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (U.S.).
Conditions Governing Access: Collection is open for research. Access to recordings may be restricted. To request materials, please contact the Folklife Reading Room at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/folklife.contact.
Related Archival Materials: Artifacts associated with the interview are at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.