Doris Zollar (Finding Aid)

Doris Zollar

1930 -

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Food: Chocolate milk shakes and Fannie Mae candies

Favorite Time of Year: Summer

Favorite Vacation Spot: The world

Interview Length: 158 minutes

Interview Date(s): May 17, 2002

Interview Location(s): Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

Doris Zollar shares stories from her childhood and her ancestors, describing growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas and her involvement in the church. Doris Zollar remembers her school days, describing her time in high school and college. Zollar recalls her experience at Talladega College in detail, naming some influential figures there. Zollar also describes her time as an exchange student at Cedar Crest College. Doris Zollar details her lifetime involvement in a variety of civic and social organizations in her adulthood. She describes her graduate school years at UCLA, her marriage to Lowell Zollar, her 10 years of teaching and her husband's entry to medical school. Doris Zollar talks about her time with The Woodlawn Organization, a grass roots community development organization formed to rebuild the Southside community. She also discusses her involvement with a number of other civic projects. Of particular note is her O'Hare Airport concession, which was made possible through the political action of then mayor Harold Washington. Zollar stresses the sea change Washington made when he insisted that city contracts must be opened to blacks, women and other minorities. Zollar goes on further to decry the lack of values in the younger generation of black people. She offers her prescription for these various social problems. Doris Zollar shares some great stories of her celebrity meetings and the impact of meeting Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu. She also discusses her legacy and how she wants to be remembered. The segment closes with several photos, mainly from her 40th wedding anniversary party. Photographs from the Zollar's 40th wedding anniversary party and a few shots of her family and friends from college

86 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)