Skip to main content

Kathryn Nelson Photograph Collection

 Collection
Identifier: P1047

Scope and Contents

The Kathryn Nelson Photograph Collection contains two Polaroid portraits of Nelson and one photograph showing Nelson working with children at the Page Park YMCA. The collection also includes a 1972 newspaper article describing Nelson's achievements and background as she was announced the winner of both the St. Louis Globe-Democrat's Achievement Award and St. Louis Newspaper Guild's Page One Award. The article quotes Nelson regarding her childhood, education, and work leading local, regional, and national projects for children of all ages.

Dates

  • ca. 1972; 1978-1988

Conditions Governing Access

No viewing restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright restrictions may apply. The user assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical / Historical

Kathryn Elizabeth (nee Bryan) Nelson (1925-2006) was a prominent educator and civic leader who was also known for work in razing racial barriers and fostering racial understanding.

She was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1925 to Lord Bryan and Willie Mae Seales. Nelson seemed to be destined for a life of relative comfort. Her father was a college graduate who worked for Ford and her mother was a teacher. Her circumstances changed dramatically, however, when her parents separated when she was five. As she recalled, “I went from my velvet coat with the squirrel collar to my mamma washing taxis at night.” Her parents’ parting resulted in a move to Memphis, Tennessee where her mother had family. In Memphis she grew up in a nurturing environment with strong support, particularly from her great grandmother, who she often cited as a source of inspiration. Her mother eventually remarried into a solidly working class family.

Nelson was bright and ambitious. Upon graduation from high school, she received three scholarships. She chose to matriculate at her hometown HCBU Le Moyne Owens College where she received a degree in social science. She moved on to Columbia University and Union Theological seminary where she pursued a joint master’s in religious education. Following graduation, she worked on a Navajo reservation and then accepted a position as director of Christian Education for the Episcopal Missionary District in Haiti in 1949. During her stay in Haiti, she served as an interpreter for Mary Mcleod Bethune when the famed educator and activist made her first and only visit to the country in that same year.

Nelson left her position in Haiti 1952 to return to the U. S. to marry her college beau, Clyde Nelson, who like so many black professionals made the move to St. Louis to work at Homer G. Phillips Hospital. Nelson did not immediately resume her professional career full-time due to family responsibilities. She worked as a substitute teacher and was involved in a number of voluntary pursuits. In 1960, she began working as a social worker at Annie Malone Children’s Home. She went on to join the staff and faculty at the St. Louis Community College where she worked for fifteen years. She gained a reputation as a strong advocate for children with an expertise in early education. She worked with children in the St. Louis Public schools and established a junior kindergarten in the Page Park YMCA that is often cited as a model for Head Start. She also created and hosted a series on KETC, Growing Together, that focused on parenting and education.

In 1988, she was tapped by the Danforth Foundation as a program director where she had an additional focus on leadership. She retired from that position in 1993,but ramped up her volunteer activities. Much in demand, she served on the board of directors of the St. Louis Public Library, the board of trustees of Webster University, co-chair of the Forest Park Forever Master Plan Committee,and board member of St. Louis 2004. She was also involved with Confluence St. Louis and contributed to the group’s report on racial polarization in St. Louis.

Extent

0.02 Cubic Feet ( (1 folder; 3 photographs and one newspaper article))

Language of Materials

English

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

No physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

Collection donated by Deborah Nelson Linck, 2020.

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital copies and item-level records of select images are posted as they are created and can be accessed through the Online Collections on the Missouri Historical Society website (mohistory.org/collections).

Digitized images are generated from the original item whenever possible and files are adjusted only to ensure an accurate representation. Master files are saved in TIF format and JPEG viewing files are automatically generated from the master files.

Separated Materials

Material from this donation is also found in the Archives Department, Library Department, and Objects Department.

Formats

Photographs; Newspaper clipping

Processing Information

Processed by Lauren Sallwasser, 2021.

Title
Guide to the Kathryn Nelson Photograph Collection.
Status
Completed
Author
EAD by Lauren Sallwasser using ArchivesSpace.
Date
2021
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Missouri Historical Society, Photographs and Prints Department Repository

Contact:
Library and Research Center
225 South Skinker Boulevard
St. Louis MO 63105