University of North Carolina at Asheville
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Title |
Mary Elizabeth Robinson Sligh Oral History |
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Creator |
Sylvia Robin for Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection |
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Subject |
Sligh, Mary Elizabeth Robinson, 1918- Asheville (N.C.) -- History Foster grandparents -- North Carolina -- Asheville Law Enforcement -- North Carolina -- Asheville Social integration -- North Carolina -- Asheville Race relations -- North Carolina |
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Subject |
Integration ; Race relations ; Nursing ; Foster grandparents ; ABCCM ; Discrimination |
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Description |
Abstract: Ms. Sligh talks about the discrimination against her mother, who was a registered nurse. She describes Asheville before and after integration. Her husband Gilbert Sligh was one of the first Black policemen in Asheville. She shares her values as well as her hopes for the world. |
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Publisher |
D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, NC, 28804 |
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Contributor |
Mary Elizabeth Robinson Sligh |
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Date |
Electronic Record Issued: 2001-07-09 |
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Type |
Sound ; Text ; Image |
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Format |
Physical Description: l 90-minute audiocassette, 4-page abstract |
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Identifier |
http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/oralhistory/VOA/S_Z/Sligh_M.html |
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Source |
OH-VOA S562 Ma |
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Language |
English |
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Relation |
None |
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Coverage |
1918-1994 ; Asheville, NC |
| Rights | No restrictions: Copyright retained by the authors of certain items in the collection or their descendents, as stipulated by United States copyright law. |
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Acquisition |
Donor number: 146 ; Date of acquisition: 1998 |
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Processed By |
Sylvia Robin, Ruth Beard, Marilyn Ferikes and staff |
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Interview Date |
1993-09-14 |
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Interview Location |
4 Pine Grove Avenue, Asheville, NC |
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Biography |
Sligh was born June 12, 1918 in Hendersonville, NC, and moved to Asheville at age 13. She talks about her three brothers, her education, her parents' jobs, and her dream of becoming a nurse. Her husband was one of the first Black policemen in Asheville. She had four children and worked as an aide at Mission Hospital. She was owner of Sligh's Beauty Shop at 4 Pine Grove Avenue and also worked as attendance counselor in the school system. |
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List of names |
[2/126] ABCCM
[1/429] Belk's [1/326] Bethune Cookman Jr. College [2/126] Foster Grandparents [1/9] Guinyard, Mary and Caleb [2/176] Hill St. Baptist Church [1/59] Robinson, Jones Oliver [1/9] Robinson, Larry [1/59] Robinson, Larry Huston [1/9] Robinson, Olive [1/59] Robinson, Samuel[1/429] Sligh, Gilbert [1/483] Sligh, Ada Elizabeth (Bette) [1/483] Sligh, Gail Patricia [1/483] Sligh, Gilbert Jr. [1/483] Sligh, Mary Louise [1/347] Star Bethel Church [1/326] Stephens-Lee High School [1/326] Stewart's School of Beauty Culture |
Side 1:[009] Moved to Asheville, 1933 at 13. Born in Hendersonville 6/12/18. Parents: Lived on Oak Street, Hendersonville; Grandparents: Mother's parents from Bamberg, SC, lived on 7th Ave. W. & Oak St. [Larry Robinson, Olive Jones Robinson][059] Three brothers, 2 older, 1 younger. [Larry Houston Robinson, Jones Oliver Robinson, Samuel Robinson] [080] Parent's occupations: Mother, R.N.; Father, Cook [087] Mother not allowed to work in hospitals; doctors found private duty for her [105] Tomboy's life [137] In Asheville, lived with cousins [166] Favorite childhood memories [188] Family car, mother learning to drive [202] Father's work in boarding houses [215] Parents from Bamberg, SC.; met and married in Hendersonville [255] Remembers spankings [260] Learning to cook and sew [282] No high school in Hendersonville for them, so moved to Asheville. Brothers went away for school. [287] Eight children in the house (6 cousins) on Latta St. (#10), then moved to Ridge St. [316] Mother not allowed to work in hospitals, became "masseur". {326] Graduate, Stephens-Lee, 1935. Jr. College (Bethune Cookman). Stewart's School of Beauty Culture [Stephens-Lee High School, Bethune Cookman Jr. College, Stewart's School of Beauty Culture] [336] Wanted to become a nurse, dreamed of becoming a missionary, then a nun [347] Star Bethel Church. [Star Bethel Church] [350] Reading, reciting, music, piano, school plays [373] Homesickness at college in Florida (Daytona) [392] Family history? [403] Grandmother married twice. Family owned P.O. in Bamberg, S.C. [429] Belk's on Haywood Street, elevator operator, to Patton Ave.;
Married in 1942 at 23
[467] Boyfriend in service [470] Brother in service [472] Short St., apt. with father, then purchased home on Olive St., then to Pine Grove Ave. [479] Four children: 3 girls, 1 boy [483] Gilbert in service; 9 mos. after marrying. Oldest girl was born. Worked for WNC Mutual; Burgesses cared for Beth. 2nd and 3rd daughters born, then son. [Ada Elizabeth (Bette), Mary Louise, Gail Patricia, Gilbert Sligh, Jr.] [508] Illness; Dr. said, "You're just worried" - a turning point [517] Mission Hospital as aide [526] Gilbert worked at the Plaza and joined the Police Force ('40s) until retirement for disability. Patrolled Eagle St. and Market St. Not supposed to arrest white people, terrible, finally in cruiser [545] Downtown segregated [556] Pack Square, "colored" fountains, Doctor's offices, Civic Center, stores [569] Catholic Schools for children. St. Anthony's, Allen School, all segregated [578] Children have left Asheville except for youngest because of more opportunities Side 2:[2/002] Changes in Asheville schools[2/026] Lack of skills in segregated schools [2/040] After desegregation [2/060] Black teachers, white teachers, resentment [2/080] Hate groups getting bolder [2/093] Hopes for the world [2/107] Values [2/113] Seven grandchildren (6 boys, 1 girl) [2/126] Self-expression, volunteer work, cared for aunt [Foster Grandparents, ABCCM] [2/140] Husband died in 1971 [2/143] She worked in the school system, as an attendance counselor [2/163] Retired at 62 [2/176] Hill St. Baptist Church. [Hill St. Baptist Church] [2/188] Turning points, faith, growing Return to Top Oral History Collections
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