Bernice Hutcherson (Finding Aid)

Bernice Hutcherson

1925 -

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Food: Breakfast

Favorite Time of Year: Spring

Favorite Vacation Spot: Freeport, Bahamas

Interview Length: 134 minutes

Interview Date(s): August 29, 2002

Interview Location(s): Wichita African American Museum, Wichita, Kansas, Kansas African American Museum, Wichita, Kanasas, Kansas African American Museum, Wichita, Kansas

Abstract

Educator and activist Bernice Hutcherson details her background and childhood in Newton, Kansas. She describes her parents and grandparents backgrounds. hutcherson details her grandmother's life in slavery. She also speaks of her rough and tumble tomboy childhood as the only girl in a family of brothers. Educator Bernice Ray Hutcherson details her life in Newton Kansas as a certified tomboy and a girl of many hopes and dreams. She details her father's work on the railroad and how his fair-skinned appearance influeneced and affected the family.She describes her life growing up as one girl in a family of boys. Hutcherson also discusses her decision to attend Langston College over the all-white University of Kansas and the evolution of her worldview from childhood to young adulthood. Educator Bernice Hutcherson shares ancecdotes about her college life at Langston University and her fun courtship with her future husband, Hubert Hutcherson. She also discusses her efforts in the educational and social work fields to bring a sense of equity and fairness to the profession and clients. Educator and advocate, Bernice Hutcherson details her community activism and efforts to stem the tide of substance abuse in the black community. Hutcherson discusses her efforts in social work to teach skills to empower those in the social work system as the first black woman president of the Wichita Area Community Action Program. Educator and activist, Bernice Hutcherson sums up the greatest issue she's had to deal with in her career, racism. She also discusses her hopes and concerns for the black community and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.

29 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)