This post is the second installment of a two-part series from a project conducted by a member of the Shaw High School Young Historians in 1998, entitled Columbus Women and World War II. Many women went to work in wartime factories, on railroads, and even shipyards, gaining a sense of economic independence. Women also began participating more socially and assuming leadership roles. However, not all changes would last. When the men returned from war, most women went back to their traditional roles.
Economic, social, and political changes in the lives of some Columbus women can be seen through the stories of Katherine Gilliland, a single woman in her late teens/early twenties, Edwina Harris, a young woman who became a widow during the war, Agnes Albright, a mother of two who opened up her home to families in need of a place to stay, and Lurie Kendrick, an African American woman who starts and runs her own business during the war.
This Spotlight covers the stories of Agnes Albright and Lurie Kendrick.
SOURCE: Columbus Women and WWII by Elizabeth Gilliland. March 5, 1998. Shaw High School Young Historians Oral History Collection. Columbus State University Archives.
Historic postcard image of homes on Beacon Avenue in Waverly Terrace.
Agnes Albright is one example of a Columbus woman whose husband did not directly participate in the war, but she and her family were still economically, socially, and politically effected. Women and families, like Agnes, felt the incredible strain of war right here in Columbus.
Agnes and her husband, Glenn, had recently bought a house on Beacon Avenue. They also owned their own grocery store, Albright's Grocery, on Hamilton Road. In 1942, Agnes and her husband were feeling the hardships of the war. They decided that they would open their home and rent two of their rooms to families who could not find a place to stay in Columbus. They rented out their back bedroom and their dining room for $20 a week. This extra income helped them make their house payment and buffered their economic hard times. Agnes explained that it was very common for families to rent rooms during the war. The families were placed in homes through Mr. Deignan, the head of the United States Service Organization.
Agnes, like other women, was also socially active during World War II. She was an active member of St. Luke United Methodist Church, president of the Waverly Terrace Elementary School's PTA (school pictured above), and she helped start the Bouquet Garden Club in 1941. In 1942, she became a member of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). They held monthly meetings where they collected tinfoil and raised money to send to war veterans. Agnes remained active in these same groups following the end of World War II.
Politically, Agnes was not really affected by the war. She voted during the war and continued to vote in every major election. She explained that "everybody was very patriotic, but that she was not personally affected politically by the war (interview with Albright).”
After the war was over, the transition to peace was smooth. Agnes eventually quit housing families in her home, and she remained involved in the same social activities. However, she commented that the real difference she saw after the war was that business increased at the family grocery store, Albright's Grocery. The family eventually went on to open a flower shop, which is still in business today on University Avenue.
All women were in some way affected by the war. It did not discriminate. While the story of Lurie Kendrick cannot speak for all Black women living in Columbus, it may provide a glimpse into the conditions that faced many African American women during this time.
Lurie Kendrick was born and raised in Columbus. She married a local young man, and they started their family here. Lurie's husband was forced to leave to participate in the war effort. He was placed in an all-Black unit to be stationed in Germany for one year.
Economically, Lurie was forced to support herself and her son. She opened her own beauty and hair salon, called Lurie's Beauty Shop. The beauty shop was located at 1422 South Street in South Columbus. Her shop only employed Black women, and the majority of the store's customers were African American. The income from Lurie's Beauty Shop was enough to pay all the bills. At the time of this interview in 1998, Lurie still owned her shop, located then at 2506 Heard Street, and she continued to work there every day.
Colored Army and Navy YMCA/USO (841 5th Avenue): The first Colored Army and Navy YMCA/USO was brought about by the pressing demands of the great body of colored soldiers, then stationed and yet to come to Ft. Benning. E.E. Farley championed the effort. Elizabeth M. Lunsford solely financed the construction of the building for $15,000.
It contained offices, canteens, a library, social rooms, and adequate facilities for dances, games, educational programming, and recreational activities sorely needed
by the more than 5,000 colored soldiers of the 24th Infantry.
In 1941, the two-story building was dedicated.
Lurie was also a member of the U.S.O. She explained that the United States Service Organization would wrap and send Christmas presents to soldiers overseas. The U.S.O. also served as a support group for Lurie. She explained that when the women would get together, they would talk about their husbands, feelings, and various situations. She was also a member of Fourth Street Baptist Church.
Politically, Lurie was the most affected by the war. She explained that the preacher at Fourth Street Baptist Church (pictured below) encouraged his congregation to register to vote. Lurie went to register to vote for the first time with her preacher. She states that "she was one of the first Black voters in Muscogee County." She described this experience as both "exciting and scary" (interview with Kendrick). She continued to be an active voter throughout her life.
After Lurie's husband returned from Germany and the war was over, she remained the head of the household. She continued to own, run, and work in her beauty shop. She also continued to take charge of paying the bills. She explained that her husband was content with letting her handle all of the major responsibilities. Lurie continued to remain active in the same social organizations after the war was over.
World War II has often been referred to as a watershed moment in the history of American women. Millions would see changes in their lives and these women were no different. They were from different backgrounds; however, one common thread is that they all underwent economic hardships which forced them to become self-sufficient. Whether it was working at the Schwob Manufacturing Company, teaching school, renting rooms out of their home, or starting their own beauty shop, they all became more independent and gained a sense of self-pride.
Comments