Rachel Brown (Finding Aid)

Rachel Brown

1912 -

Favorite Color: Pink and blue

Favorite Food: her baked Cornish hen and her crabcakes

Favorite Time of Year: Summer and winter

Favorite Vacation Spot: Honolulu, Hawaii

Interview Length: 105 minutes

Interview Date(s): June 3, 2004

Interview Location(s): Annapolis, Maryland

Abstract

Educator Rachel Hall Brown discusses her family's Eastern Shore heritage. She recalls daily family life and tells stories of how her mother and father influenced her as they reared the family. Rachel Hall Brown discusses her relationship with each of her siblings. Educator Rachel Hall Brown describes her childhood community and then recalls her elementary school experiences. She describes how religion played an important role in her life before remembering her high school years at Frederick Douglass in Baltimore, Maryland. Brown also talks about well-known classmates at Douglass. Rachel Hall Brown tells of her college aspirations and discusses her early days at Coppin State University. Finally, Brown talks about her first teaching job. Educator Rachel Hall Brown discusses years spent as a teacher at Skidmore School in Maryland. She recalls her courtship with her now husband Philip Brown. Brown tells the story of a missed opportunity to teach in Baltimore and how it could've changed her entire life. Next, she details teaching during the period between Brown v. the Board of Education and actual integration. In 1966 the Anne Arundel County schools were integrating and Rachel Hall Brown shares her thoughts on the process. She then discusses the changes needed in elementary school education. Educator Rachel Hall Brown discusses her involvement in the White House's 1970 Children and Youth conference. She shares her opinions on current educational issues such as No Child Left Behind and school vouchers. Next, Brown talks about the need for mothers to stay home and nurture their children before going back to work. Rachel Hall Brown reflects on her career and offers advice to educators.

26 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)