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With the dawn of the 1950s, the Nation was experiencing post-war growth in all areas—population, housing, and industry. While many women remained in the workforce following World War Two, the return of men, combined with discriminatory hiring practices, forced many women back into their homes. Popular press and images of the day idealized women's femininity and the 1950's housewife.
With the dawn of the 1950s, the Nation was experiencing post-war growth in all areas—population, housing, and industry. While many women remained in the workforce following World War Two, the return of men, combined with discriminatory hiring practices, forced many women back into their homes. Popular press and images of the day idealized women's femininity and the 1950's housewife.
The first part of the decade was also marked by the rise of Senator Joseph McCarthy and his campaign to expose communist infiltrators in the United States. The latter half of the decade, and well into the next, focused on desegregation and the birth of the modern Civil Rights Movement.
The first part of the decade was also marked by the rise of Senator Joseph McCarthy and his campaign to expose communist infiltrators in the United States. The latter half of the decade, and well into the next, focused on desegregation and the birth of the modern Civil Rights Movement.
For Montgomery County, the decade of the 1950s is best characterized by explosive growth. "The County's population increased 97% in the 1940s from 83,912 to 164,401 and 107% in the 1950s from 164,401 to 340,928. This placed Montgomery County in competition with Los Angeles and Houston as one of the fastest growing counties in the nation." [1] The 1950s was not only a time of population growth and real estate development in the county, but it was also a decade that witnessed women taking on influential civic and political roles in the community, demonstrating their willingness and readiness to be civic and political leaders in the county.
For Montgomery County, the decade of the 1950s is best characterized by explosive growth. "The County's population increased 97% in the 1940s from 83,912 to 164,401 and 107% in the 1950s from 164,401 to 340,928. This placed Montgomery County in competition with Los Angeles and Houston as one of the fastest growing counties in the nation." [1] The 1950s was not only a time of population growth and real estate development in the county, but it was also a decade that witnessed women taking on influential civic and political roles in the community, demonstrating their willingness and readiness to be civic and political leaders in the county.
Women as Civic Leaders
Women as Civic Leaders
In 1954, the United States Supreme Court ruled on Brown v. Board of Education and overturned the legal precedent of "separate but equal" accommodations for public facilities with regard to race, thereby requiring the desegregation of public schools. [2] This decision helped to galvanize the Civil Rights Movement—a battle still being fought today.
In 1954, the United States Supreme Court ruled on Brown v. Board of Education and overturned the legal precedent of "separate but equal" accommodations for public facilities with regard to race, thereby requiring the desegregation of public schools. [2] This decision helped to galvanize the Civil Rights Movement—a battle still being fought today.
The story of school desegregation in Montgomery County also highlights the contributions and leadership of several women, including Margaret Taylor Jones, Nina Honemond Clark, and Edith Throckmorton. Their stories demonstrate how they leveraged political power as educational leaders in the county.
The story of school desegregation in Montgomery County also highlights the contributions and leadership of several women, including Margaret Taylor Jones, Nina Honemond Clark, and Edith Throckmorton. Their stories demonstrate how they leveraged political power as educational leaders in the county.
Lincoln High School graduating class, date unknown (pre-1950). Photo credit: Ralph Buglass; original source unknown. Montgomery History.
"The legal victory in Brown did not transform the country overnight, and much work remains. But striking down segregation in the nation’s public schools provided a major catalyst for the civil rights movement, making possible advances in desegregating housing, public accommodations, and institutions of higher education. The decision gave hope to millions of Americans by permanently discrediting the legal rationale underpinning the racial caste system that had been endorsed or accepted by governments at all levels since the end of the nineteenth century."
"The legal victory in Brown did not transform the country overnight, and much work remains. But striking down segregation in the nation’s public schools provided a major catalyst for the civil rights movement, making possible advances in desegregating housing, public accommodations, and institutions of higher education. The decision gave hope to millions of Americans by permanently discrediting the legal rationale underpinning the racial caste system that had been endorsed or accepted by governments at all levels since the end of the nineteenth century."
~ "Case: Landmark: Brown v. Board of Education," NAACP Legal Defense Fund website.
Margaret Taylor Jones speaking at 1968 groundbreaking, Scotland Community. Photograph by Alan Siegel. Montgomery History Photographs Collection.
Margaret Taylor Jones
Margaret Taylor Jones
Jones, born and raised in Washington, D.C., was a Howard University and Columbia University educated teacher, supervisor, and principal in Montgomery County Public Schools. She began her career in the early 1930s, teaching in a one-room school house in the Scotland community where she taught 36 (or more) Black students ranging in age from 6 to 15.
Jones, born and raised in Washington, D.C., was a Howard University and Columbia University educated teacher, supervisor, and principal in Montgomery County Public Schools. She began her career in the early 1930s, teaching in a one-room school house in the Scotland community where she taught 36 (or more) Black students ranging in age from 6 to 15.
Jones went on to teach at Rockville Elementary School. From 1951 to 1955, she was a supervisor for Black elementary schools in the county, while also serving as the Principal of Rock Terrace Elementary School. In 1959, she became the first Black principal of Bannockburn Elementary School, which at the time was an all white school. Jones also served as the President of the Montgomery County Teacher's Association for 10 years. [3]
Jones went on to teach at Rockville Elementary School. From 1951 to 1955, she was a supervisor for Black elementary schools in the county, while also serving as the Principal of Rock Terrace Elementary School. In 1959, she became the first Black principal of Bannockburn Elementary School, which at the time was an all white school. Jones also served as the President of the Montgomery County Teacher's Association for 10 years. [3]
"Kids learn well because everybody hears everybody else's lessons, and one could build a sense of values in a room such as this because as the teacher moved on to another group she could assign a pretty proficient student to work with a group of smaller children; so they learned to help each other and they had a sense of, I think , unity in helping each other."
"Kids learn well because everybody hears everybody else's lessons, and one could build a sense of values in a room such as this because as the teacher moved on to another group she could assign a pretty proficient student to work with a group of smaller children; so they learned to help each other and they had a sense of, I think , unity in helping each other."
~ Margaret Taylor Jones, describing her experience teaching in a one-room school; Oral History, November 3, 1971, Montgomery History.
Nina Honemond Clarke
Nina Honemond Clarke
Clarke, a Montgomery County native, received her teaching certificate from Bowie State Teacher's College as well as Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Hampton Institute and Boston University, respectively. Clarke spent 36 years as an educator in Montgomery County public schools. She taught at the segregated Quince Orchard School and at the Sandy Spring consolidated elementary school, among many others.
Clarke, a Montgomery County native, received her teaching certificate from Bowie State Teacher's College as well as Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Hampton Institute and Boston University, respectively. Clarke spent 36 years as an educator in Montgomery County public schools. She taught at the segregated Quince Orchard School and at the Sandy Spring consolidated elementary school, among many others.
In 1954-1955, she served on a School Board appointed committee to plan the process for integrating schools. She went on to become the principal of Aspen Hill Elementary School—only the second Black woman in the county to serve in such a leadership position. Following her retirement in the 1970s, Clarke researched, wrote, and spoke about the history of Black public schools and churches in the county. She also continued to be an active member of the NAACP. [4]
In 1954-1955, she served on a School Board appointed committee to plan the process for integrating schools. She went on to become the principal of Aspen Hill Elementary School—only the second Black woman in the county to serve in such a leadership position. Following her retirement in the 1970s, Clarke researched, wrote, and spoke about the history of Black public schools and churches in the county. She also continued to be an active member of the NAACP. [4]
Nina Clarke, c. 1977. Montgomery History Photographs Collections.
"The Board of Education would send a teacher, and some old used books. Everything we had was used out of the white schools. Sometimes the books were so torn up we couldn’t even use them. When I was teaching ... you had to be ingenious. You had to make use of everything you had, so I would take out the stories that had all the pages ... and have the children make new covers for them, and decorate them, and those were our library books.”
"The Board of Education would send a teacher, and some old used books. Everything we had was used out of the white schools. Sometimes the books were so torn up we couldn’t even use them. When I was teaching ... you had to be ingenious. You had to make use of everything you had, so I would take out the stories that had all the pages ... and have the children make new covers for them, and decorate them, and those were our library books.”
~ Nina H. Clarke, Oral History, July 14, 2003, Montgomery History.
Edith Throckmorton with Reverend Abraham Sherman, Jerusalem Methodist Church, Rockville. Source: Nina Clarke, Montgomery History Photographs Collection.
Edith Throckmorton
Edith Throckmorton
Throckmorton was born in West Virginia and raised there and in Pennsylvania. She attended the Pennsylvania State Teachers' College and began her teaching career in Calvert County, Maryland. In Montgomery County, she served as the Principal of the Sellman, Sandy Spring, Emory Grove, Laytonsville, and Longview segregated schools from 1939 to 1959. Throckmorton resigned in protest from Longview in 1959 after she "was asked to return to classroom teaching under a white principal," following integration. [5]
Throckmorton was born in West Virginia and raised there and in Pennsylvania. She attended the Pennsylvania State Teachers' College and began her teaching career in Calvert County, Maryland. In Montgomery County, she served as the Principal of the Sellman, Sandy Spring, Emory Grove, Laytonsville, and Longview segregated schools from 1939 to 1959. Throckmorton resigned in protest from Longview in 1959 after she "was asked to return to classroom teaching under a white principal," following integration. [5]
Throckmorton was active in the NAACP and served as the chapter President for over 15 years (1962-1977), succeeding Mary Betters of Silver Spring. During her tenure, Throckmorton "advocated for public accommodations, fair housing, and equal employment opportunities for low-income residents"; she was instrumental in the creation of the county's Human Relations Commission, a precursor to today's Office of Human Rights. [6] Throckmorton was inducted in the county's Human Rights Hall of Fame in 2001.
Throckmorton was active in the NAACP and served as the chapter President for over 15 years (1962-1977), succeeding Mary Betters of Silver Spring. During her tenure, Throckmorton "advocated for public accommodations, fair housing, and equal employment opportunities for low-income residents"; she was instrumental in the creation of the county's Human Relations Commission, a precursor to today's Office of Human Rights. [6] Throckmorton was inducted in the county's Human Rights Hall of Fame in 2001.
"'We continue to believe,' says Edith Throckmorton, President of the Montgomery County NAACP, 'that the cause of equal justice for all citizens is best served by mobilizing peoples of all races and creeds to work together for the social and economic advancement of the impoverished and have-not segments of our society ... there is certainly work to be done towards this goal in Montgomery County.'"
"'We continue to believe,' says Edith Throckmorton, President of the Montgomery County NAACP, 'that the cause of equal justice for all citizens is best served by mobilizing peoples of all races and creeds to work together for the social and economic advancement of the impoverished and have-not segments of our society ... there is certainly work to be done towards this goal in Montgomery County.'"
~ Press Release, NAACP, Papers of Edith Throckmorton. Montgomery History.
Women as Political Leaders
Women as Political Leaders
On the political scene, the beginning of the decade saw the election of two women to the two-year-old County Council. By the end of the decade, the Council was led by a woman, as was the School Board, and a Montgomery County woman became Maryland's first female Circuit Court Judge.
On the political scene, the beginning of the decade saw the election of two women to the two-year-old County Council. By the end of the decade, the Council was led by a woman, as was the School Board, and a Montgomery County woman became Maryland's first female Circuit Court Judge.
Sample Ballot, 1950. Montgomery County Elections Collection. Montgomery History.
In 1959, the Maryland News introduced "First Ladies of Montgomery County"— Stella B. Werner, Kathryn Lawlor, and Rose Kramer:
In 1959, the Maryland News introduced "First Ladies of Montgomery County"— Stella B. Werner, Kathryn Lawlor, and Rose Kramer:
“Never before in the history of Montgomery County have women so firmly held the ties that bind this community in 1959 ... All three women are mothers, keen and alert to the needs of the community.”
“Never before in the history of Montgomery County have women so firmly held the ties that bind this community in 1959 ... All three women are mothers, keen and alert to the needs of the community.”
~ Maryland News, February 6, 1959.
Stella B. Werner. Montgomery History Photographs Collection.
Stella B. Werner
Stella B. Werner
Werner served one term on the County Council before setting her sights on a larger target: U.S. Congress.
Werner served one term on the County Council before setting her sights on a larger target: U.S. Congress.
In 1952, Werner ran as the Democratic candidate for the 6th District of Maryland to the U.S. House of Representatives, and as the Evening Star put it in June 1952, “she was the first of her sex in Maryland to survive the primary election for a seat in Congress.” [7]
In 1952, Werner ran as the Democratic candidate for the 6th District of Maryland to the U.S. House of Representatives, and as the Evening Star put it in June 1952, “she was the first of her sex in Maryland to survive the primary election for a seat in Congress.” [7]
Despite victory in the primaries, Werner was beat out by Republican candidate DeWitt S. Hyde in the November general election. This defeat did not dim her political aspirations, and in 1954, she was reelected to the Montgomery County Council. She was selected as the Council’s first woman President in 1959.
Despite victory in the primaries, Werner was beat out by Republican candidate DeWitt S. Hyde in the November general election. This defeat did not dim her political aspirations, and in 1954, she was reelected to the Montgomery County Council. She was selected as the Council’s first woman President in 1959.
Campaign card for Stella B. Werner, 1954. Montgomery County Elections Collection. Montgomery History.
Sadly, Werner’s oral histories do not shed much light on how she felt as a woman working and competing in what was very much an “old boys” network. Although, she offers insight on her stance on the women's rights movement:
Sadly, Werner’s oral histories do not shed much light on how she felt as a woman working and competing in what was very much an “old boys” network. Although, she offers insight on her stance on the women's rights movement:
“I guess I shouldn’t say this but I have never been a women’s equal rights enthusiast. I do not think a woman should ever be denied the privilege of filling any position but I think women are hurting themselves terribly with some of the spectacular presentations they are making now and their conduct is unbecoming to them. I think they are losing some of the very fine things that women should hold true to.”
“I guess I shouldn’t say this but I have never been a women’s equal rights enthusiast. I do not think a woman should ever be denied the privilege of filling any position but I think women are hurting themselves terribly with some of the spectacular presentations they are making now and their conduct is unbecoming to them. I think they are losing some of the very fine things that women should hold true to.”
~ Stella B. Werner, Oral History, Interview #2, November 28, 1971, p.21, Montgomery History.
Kathryn Lawlor
Kathryn Lawlor
Lawlor, who was raised in California, moved to Montgomery County in the early 1930s. She attended Law School at American University and worked for the Legal Aid Bureau of Washington, DC before going into private practice.
Lawlor, who was raised in California, moved to Montgomery County in the early 1930s. She attended Law School at American University and worked for the Legal Aid Bureau of Washington, DC before going into private practice.
Like other women of the time, her entry into politics came from her involvement with civic and professional organizations, including the Chevy Chase Citizen's Committee, the Chevy Chase Woman's Club (as its attorney), and the Woman's Bar Association.
Like other women of the time, her entry into politics came from her involvement with civic and professional organizations, including the Chevy Chase Citizen's Committee, the Chevy Chase Woman's Club (as its attorney), and the Woman's Bar Association.
Lawlor served on the County Council until 1954. That same year, she ran unsuccessfully for the Maryland House of Delegates. However, she made history in 1955 when she became the state's first woman Circuit Court Judge, having been appointed to a vacant position by the Governor. A year later, she was successfully elected into the position, where she served until 1971. [8]
Lawlor served on the County Council until 1954. That same year, she ran unsuccessfully for the Maryland House of Delegates. However, she made history in 1955 when she became the state's first woman Circuit Court Judge, having been appointed to a vacant position by the Governor. A year later, she was successfully elected into the position, where she served until 1971. [8]
Kathryn J. Lawlor in 1953 as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from Montgomery County. Photo by Marion E. Warren. Maryland Manual Collection, Maryland State Archives SC 1198.
"In all my experience only one person—a woman—ever told me that a woman has no business becoming a judge ... This woman was a prospective juror. She told me that she didn't think women should serve as jurors or as judges. But she served and afterwards she came to me and said that it was the most rewarding experience she ever had."
"In all my experience only one person—a woman—ever told me that a woman has no business becoming a judge ... This woman was a prospective juror. She told me that she didn't think women should serve as jurors or as judges. But she served and afterwards she came to me and said that it was the most rewarding experience she ever had."
~ Kathryn Lawlor as told to Steed Evans, Montgomery County Sentinel, May 8, 1958 (from Maryland State Archives).
Rose Kramer, Montgomery History Photographs Collections.
Rose Kramer
Rose Kramer
Kramer was born in Washington, DC, the daughter of Russian immigrants. She attended Wilson Teacher's College and Catholic University. She was a teacher in D.C. prior to moving to Montgomery County in 1940.
Kramer was born in Washington, DC, the daughter of Russian immigrants. She attended Wilson Teacher's College and Catholic University. She was a teacher in D.C. prior to moving to Montgomery County in 1940.
During the 1940s, Kramer was active in the B'nai B'rith Auxiliary, a Jewish service and humanitarian organization. She also joined the League of Women Voters. In 1954, Kramer was elected to the first elected Montgomery County School Board. (In prior years, the Governor appointed members.) She served on the Board from 1955 through 1960 and "played a pivotal role in the integration of the school system, introducing the historic Statement of Policy on Integration adopted by the Board of Education on March 21, 1955." [9] She served on the County Council from 1966 to 1970, "working for fair housing in conjunction with the NAACP." [10] Kramer was inducted into the county's Human Rights Hall of Fame in 2002.
During the 1940s, Kramer was active in the B'nai B'rith Auxiliary, a Jewish service and humanitarian organization. She also joined the League of Women Voters. In 1954, Kramer was elected to the first elected Montgomery County School Board. (In prior years, the Governor appointed members.) She served on the Board from 1955 through 1960 and "played a pivotal role in the integration of the school system, introducing the historic Statement of Policy on Integration adopted by the Board of Education on March 21, 1955." [9] She served on the County Council from 1966 to 1970, "working for fair housing in conjunction with the NAACP." [10] Kramer was inducted into the county's Human Rights Hall of Fame in 2002.
“I got involved in politics through the League of Women Voters. At that time they were highlighting the change of Montgomery County government from commissioner to council … I had gotten very involved in the League so I began learning a great deal about how our government works.”
“I got involved in politics through the League of Women Voters. At that time they were highlighting the change of Montgomery County government from commissioner to council … I had gotten very involved in the League so I began learning a great deal about how our government works.”
~ Rose Kramer, Oral History, February 10, 1999, p. 17, Montgomery History.
Footnotes:
[1] Bachman, 1950s Housing Boom Exhibit.[2] Hedlund, The Decree Has Been Handed Down.[3] Ibid.[4] Ibid.[5] Ibid and Montgomery County Commission for Women.[6] Hedlund, The Decree Has Been Handed Down.[7] Evening Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), October 28, 1952.[8] Maryland State Archives, Biographical Series.[9] Montgomery County Board of Education, Memorandum re: Death of Rose Kramer, dated March 14, 2006.[10] Hedlund, The Decree Has Been Handed Down.Header image: O'Halloran, T. J., photographer. (1963) African American school children entering the Mary E. Branch School at S. Main Street and Griffin Boulevard, Farmville, Prince Edward County, Virginia. Farmville Virginia, 1963. Sept. 16. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2011648793/.
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