CLARK HISTORIC LANDMARK SITE ROANOKE, ALABAMA
A Guided Digital Tour Of The Lives, Legacies and Works Of Wilkie And Hattie Lee (Peters) Clark as presented by their offspring: their only daughter, Mrs. Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson; grandson, Wilkie S. Frieson, and Granddaughter, Je'Lynn M. Frieson.
AN ALABAMA HISTORIC LANDMARK SITE
education: Under "Separate But Equal"
The Historically Recognized Randolph County Training School (R.C.T.S.)
As far back as the 1950's (and perhaps earlier) both Mr. and Mrs. Clark were not only active participants — but leaders in the education of black students in Randolph County. What makes this information historic is that what was being done during the "Separate But Equal" era, was largely unknown to the general public; yet these people were competent, dedicated educators, working their behinds off to provide a top quality education to black students under less-than-desirable conditions. It should also be remembered that Clark was involved at this level, in spite of the fact that he was NOT a school employee; he was NOT a public school educator; he did NOT have a college degree, and merely held a high school Diploma from Cobb Avenue High School in Anniston, Alabama. This was during a time when everybody still had the perception that Negroes were just a bunch of sorry "Porch Monkeys," who had very little intelligence or initiative.
The data will clearly demonstrate that this was a blatant LIE.
The data will clearly demonstrate that this was a blatant LIE.
1949--August-26 — Randolph County Training School News, Warren Minnifield, Principal "Training School Faculty Named:" [The Roanoke Leader] Reported that Mrs. Clark was included among several new teachers hired to teach at the new Randolph County Training School For Negores. Mrs. Louise Riley, BS Alabama State College, and MA, Atlanta University, Mrs. Thelma Minnifield, BS A&M College, Normal, AL; Mrs. Countess Chapman, BS Alabama A&M College; Johnnie Jackson BS, Alabama State College; Miss Evelyn Smedley, BS Alabama State College; Mrs. Hattie Clark, Alabama State College; Mrs. Amelia Shumpert, Tuskegee Institute and Tennessee State College; Miss Attrie B. Stephens, BS Alabama A&M College.
The Randolph County Training School was promoted as "Randolph County's most modern school building is the Randolph County Training School For Negroes at Roanoke. Class and commencement were held in the new fireproof structure last spring. Next Monday will mark the first school opening in this building."
The Randolph County Training School was promoted as "Randolph County's most modern school building is the Randolph County Training School For Negroes at Roanoke. Class and commencement were held in the new fireproof structure last spring. Next Monday will mark the first school opening in this building."
1949-12-09 - In this Roanoke Leader newspaper article, it is reported that the R.C.T.S. organized a "Y-Teen" Club, which Mrs. Clark was to serve as it's Coordinator.
Y-Teens grew out of the YWCA's of yesteryear. Y-Teens were young ladies in their teens. Local chapters or “clubs” were created at grade schools and junior high and high schools. Each chapter elected officers, who planned events and activities. The clubs also gave these young women the opportunity to think on their own about ways to make a difference in the communities where they lived. By the time Laniākea opened in 1927, there were nearly 30 active clubs across the island with more than 650 club members in Honolulu alone. The grade school students were assembled in “Triangles” with high school students joining “Clubs.” Each group was guided by one or more adult advisers.
Y-Teens grew out of the YWCA's of yesteryear. Y-Teens were young ladies in their teens. Local chapters or “clubs” were created at grade schools and junior high and high schools. Each chapter elected officers, who planned events and activities. The clubs also gave these young women the opportunity to think on their own about ways to make a difference in the communities where they lived. By the time Laniākea opened in 1927, there were nearly 30 active clubs across the island with more than 650 club members in Honolulu alone. The grade school students were assembled in “Triangles” with high school students joining “Clubs.” Each group was guided by one or more adult advisers.
1950-09-21 - The Roanoke Leader carried the story (below) about the opening teachers meeting (which came to be called the Teacher's Institute) of the Randolph County Training School. I did find it surprising that my mother actually presented a talk on "How To Teach Reading." For me, this further validated the confidence others had in her ability to lead a group of professionals so early in her teaching career. At this time, I had not even been born, (which would have made her about 37 years old. By the time this training took place, she had been teaching about 11 years; but she had not completed her Bachelor Of Science in Elementary Education. (Probably was working toward it). It would be another WHOLE YEAR before she would complete her BS in Elementary Ed. However, she ultimately became "Coordinator of the Elementary Education Department" at R.C.T.S. a title everybody not only respected, but loved.
This interesting commentary appeared in June of 1955, roughly one year and one month after the Brown vs Board Of Education Decision. Seemingly the larger (white) society was somewhat worried about how it's goals would be accomplished. It's clear from the editorial commentary below which, I can only assume, was written by John B. Stevenson, the larger society didn't have a clue how desegregation would proceed. Perhaps neither the black nor the white communities gave a dam. But, people who claimed to be representing the common good, always ready to spend an opinion.
1957 -3-7 — The newspaper article shown below, simply reflects Wilkie Clark's EXTREME generosity when it came to a worthy community cause. The article depicted in this section featured a list of black donors to the drive to organize the band at the predominantly black high school R.C.T.S. Note that while most donors individually gave $1,00 to $5.00, Wilkie Clark gave $25.00 — (far and above what others were giving) which during that time was probably considered a huge donation for a black man during the 1950's. We earnestly believe that this fact alone simply confirms and verifies his extreme generosity, which was evident throughout his lifetime. Remember, at the time this effort was undertaken, Wilkie Clark was not even in business. He was a regular working man, employed by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.
1959-12-03 - The Roanoke Leader Article below reports on the progress of the Training School PTA. The Parent-Teacher-Association (PTA) -- still largely in its infancy -- continues to develop. A "Committee on Health, Education and Welfare" is organized. It's purpose is to promote community-wide efforts to encourage school attendance, investigate, report and discuss all types of welfare cases in the community and to raise the moral level of living by promoting church attendance and membership. Unsurprisingly, Wilkie Clark is one of those selected to serve on this important committee.
The Article below references Wilkie Clark's early dedication to Civil Rights activism. in 1962, he attended a 3-day meeting in Birmingham of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Civil Rights Organization founded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.