Our Day in History: Sharing Mothers’ Activities from the Past Fort Wayne, 1950

This month’s article is in honor of Mother’s Day and all the mothers featured in these photos from the past. Images like these were a staple in black newspapers where visits from out of town guests, holiday parties, social clubs and many other social events in our community were recognized and celebrated. You wouldn’t find proud photos like these in mainstream or white newspapers. Black papers shared local news and information about our communities across the nation. For example, news from the Black community in Fort Wayne could be found in the Chicago Defender, Pittsburgh Courier, Indianapolis Recorder and many more. Today, these newspapers provide the opportunity to look back and not only see our ancestors but also learn about them, their stories, their community and the world around them. Black newspapers offer a wealth of information which is important in genealogy research.

Please help us identify the women whose names do not appear in the photo of a bridal shower in 1950 at the home of Lillian Wagstaff-Moore. If you know the names of these women, contact the African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne (AAGSFW) at AAGSFW@gmail.com or on our Facebook page. Your information can help brighten someone’s day. Happy Mother’s day from AAGSFW!

If you have copies of African American newspapers published in Fort Wayne prior to 1968, share them with the African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne for scanning, sharing and historical research. This helps us to continue telling our story correctly in history in our voice. Join us in “Giving A Voice to Our Ancestors.”

‘Our Day in History’ is presented by the African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne (AAGSFW) celebrating their 10th anniversary and focuses on articles of interest from Fort Wayne’s rich African American history. Learn more on Facebook @aagsfw.

Photo 1 : A 1950 bridal shower in Fort Wayne at Lillian Wagstaff’s home. Front, seated (left to right): Rosetta Chapman, Lebrae Robinson-Dozier, Lillian Wagstaff-Moore, Amber Wagstaff, unknown, Bonnie Kinerk-Andrews; Back, standing (left to right): unknown, unknown, Barbara Briggs, unknown, unknown.

Photo 2: The Fort Wayne Rainbow Club featured in the Guardian Tribune in 1950
[PHOTOS: AAGSFW]