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Lillian Gordon interview (part 1 of 2)
1992-11-10
Gordon, Lillian, interviewee
Part one of an oral history interview with Lillian Gordon about her family history, D.C. neighborhoods, her career in entertainment, and her views on society. Gordon discusses her memories of and changes to the neighborhoods in Northwest where she has lived and worked, including LeDroit Park, Sursum Corda/NoMa, and U Street. She talks about her family, childhood, religious upbringing, and education. Gordon describes her experiences in childhood with segregation and the racial demographics of her neighborhood. She also speaks in detail about her career in entertainment, starting as an usher and beauty queen, and becoming a dancer who performed in popular venues like Crystal Caverns with famous black entertainers. Gordon discusses changes she has observed to society at large and the African American community. She also describes her volunteer work in the community.
- Title:
- Lillian Gordon interview (part 1 of 2)
- Creator:
- Gordon, Lillian, interviewee
- Date Created:
- 1992-11-10
- Description:
Part one of an oral history interview with Lillian Gordon about her family history, D.C. neighborhoods, her career in entertainment, and her views on society. Gordon discusses her memories of and changes to the neighborhoods in Northwest where she has lived and worked, including LeDroit Park, Sursum Corda/NoMa, and U Street. She talks about her family, childhood, religious upbringing, and education. Gordon describes her experiences in childhood with segregation and the racial demographics of her neighborhood. She also speaks in detail about her career in entertainment, starting as an usher and beauty queen, and becoming a dancer who performed in popular venues like Crystal Caverns with famous black entertainers. Gordon discusses changes she has observed to society at large and the African American community. She also describes her volunteer work in the community.
Lillian Gordon was born in Washington, D.C. She grew up in the Sursum Corda neighborhood of Northwest D.C. She found success as a professional dancer and worked in popular venues along U Street with many famous black entertainers, including Marvin Gaye and Redd Foxx. She also worked at the Census Bureau. Currently she volunteers her time helping underserved people in the community and works part-time as an activities coordinator for Iona Senior Services. She lives near 4th and Q Streets, NW.
This interview is continued in dcpl_ohp12-03_02.
Original version: audiocassette; DC Public Library, Special Collections, OHP 12 St. Mary's Court Oral History Project - Never Too Old To Learn
Item details
- Partner:
- District Digital
- Contributing Institution:
- DC Public Library
- Subjects:
- Shaw (Washington, D.C.)
Segregation
U Street (Washington, D.C.)
African American women dancers
Oral history
African American women entertainers
Race relations
Older African American women
African American families
Washington (D.C.) History
Shaw, Washington, D.C - Type:
- sound
- Standardized Rights Statement:
- This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for non-commercial uses. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-NC/1.0/ - Rights:
- In Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Permitted
- Publisher:
- DC Public Library, Special Collections