Resources
RMC Resources, Early Black Women at Cornell
by P. Jackson, Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Manuscript Collections
Evie C. Spencer papers, 1909-1968 (Archives 37-5-2880)
Photographs, correspondence, memorandum booklets, diplomas and certificates, Cornell ephemera, alumni surveys, and other papers of an African-American woman student at Cornell University. Includes letters from Emily and Isabel Howland.
(Cornell President) Livingston Farrand papers (Archives 3-5-7)
Box 6, ff 23: letters about Ruth Peyton, concerning her denial of residency at Sage College
Box 11, ff 5: 1934 letter from Dean Fitch to President Farrand concerning Pauline Davis’ attempt to get on-campus housing and his response
Box 12, ff 49: letters from Marcus James Gilliam about Pauline Davis’ attempt and denial for admission into Sage College and Farrand’s response.
Box 27, ff 54: letter from Ruth Peyton’s Mother, Mrs. R. Peyton
Cornell Publications
Cornell Alumni News, 1910-1911, Vol. 13 (April 1911) p. 314
This volume includes a letter from President Schurman to Adviser to Women Martin, regarding black students being allowed to live at Sage College.
Cornell Classbook (runs until ca. 1917)
The Classbook includes senior photos and brief descriptions of the students.
The Cornellian
By the late 1910s, the Cornellian includes senior photos and brief descriptions of the students.
Cornell University Directory
The directory includes the addresses of Cornell students.
Alumni Directory
The directory includes the addresses of alumni.
Cornell Records
Deceased Alumni Files, DAF, (41-2-877)
DAFs can be good sources for providing biographical information about students who attended Cornell as well as information about their lives after graduation.
Registrars Cards (only deceased alumni’s registrar’s cards are accessible)
Registrars Cards list early students’ grades.
List of Early Black Women at Cornell, 1886-1930 (may not be complete)
Jane Eleanor Datcher, graduated 1890
Sarah Winifred Brown, graduated 1897
Nancy Fairfax Brown, AB 1899
Frances Ann Keller, law ? 1898
Jessie Redmona Fauset, AB 1905
Hallie Elvera Queen, BS in Agr. 1908
Alice Moore Dunbar, Special Student, 1907-08 (Mrs. Robert J. Nelson)
Mary Alida Fitch
Pauline Angeline Ray, AB 1913 (Mrs. Pauline A. R. Morton-Finney)
Flaxie Madison Holcombe, AB 1913
Evie Lee Carpenter (Mrs. Spencer), AB 1918
Adelaide Helen Cook (Mrs. Daly), AB 1918
Winifred Georgie Bailor, BS 1919?
Laure E. Miller (Mrs. Turner), Special Agr. Student 1920-1921
Nellie Bernice Gregory, AB 1923
Myra King (Mrs. Charles Nathaniel Hammond), Agr 1922-1925
Albertine Lewis Fitch (Mrs. Ellis Hopkins), grad student
Miriam Sophrinia Gould (Mrs. Myron B. Towns), MS 1929
Marion Elizabeth Gandy, BS 1928
Beatrice Olivia Roberts, AB 1931
Grace Hooks Peterson, AB 1930
Pauline Alexandra Davis, AB 1931
Ruth Louise Peyton, AB 1931
Flemmie Pansy Kittrell, MS, 1930 and PhD 1936