Interview with Sharyn Mitchell, October 28, 2021

Interview Summary

Sharyn Mitchell was a student at Berea College's Foundation School when she attended the 1964 March on Frankfort. Mitchell had various careers in state government, real estate, higher education, and business. Mitchell grew up in Winchester, Berea, and Lexington. Mitchell initially commuted by train to attend a Rosenwald school in Berea, living with her great-aunt during the week. Mitchell returned to Winchester in the fourth grade following the integration of schools in the city. Mitchell later attended the Foundation School in Berea, which was the high school division of Berea College. Mitchell discusses the history of race in the city of Berea. Mitchell explains the impact of the Day Law on Berea College. Mitchell went to the March on Frankfort with Berea College students. Mitchell fondly recalls the crowd at the March singing spirituals. Mitchell describes her experiences with segregation while living in Lexington. Mitchell details the Black community in Frankfort, including churches. Mitchell briefly describes her work at the Capitol in Frankfort. Additionally, Mitchell details her interest in the band Peter, Paul, and Mary, who performed at the March. Mitchell chronicles the tradition of Berea College students participating in protests and advocating for social justice. Mitchell also attended the 50th anniversary commemorative March on Frankfort. Mitchell compares her experiences with public accommodations before and after segregation. Mitchell shares her views on sexism against women. Mitchell recalls her and her mother's experiences with discrimination in employment. Mitchell speculates upon where to find a copy of the March on Frankfort speeches. Mitchell discusses her high school years, as well as stories from her friends and family. Mitchell recalls some stories that her family told her of Kentucky State University. Mitchell displays her high school yearbook and concludes the interview by sharing some of her memorabilia from her involvement in the civil rights movement.

Interview Keyword

March on Frankfort Berea College Foundation School (Berea, Ky.) Middletown Consolidated School (Berea, Ky.) Victory Heights School (Winchester, Ky.) Day Law Kentucky. Legislative Research Commission Louis Newby Activism Georgia Davis Powers Mae Street Kidd Kentucky Civil Rights Act of 1966 Integration Desegregation Jim Crow Laws

Interview LC Subject

Careers Berea College Kentucky Kentuckians Civil rights Civil rights movement Civil rights demonstrations Black people African Americans Winchester (Ky.) Clark County (Ky.) Rosenwald schools Berea (Ky.) Madison County (Ky.) Mothers Fathers Frankfort (Ky.) Franklin County (Ky.) Great-aunts Education Racism Prejudice Discrimination Race Protest songs Church Peter, Paul, and Mary (Musical group) Kentucky. General Assembly Professors Students Teachers Segregation Sexism Gender Women Discrimination in employment Yearbooks Kentucky State University

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.