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'''Virginia Proctor Powell Florence''' is a name that rarely comes up in conversation because few people have heard of her. However she is a trailblazer in both [[African-American history]] and the history of [[librarianship]]. Although others bypassed her accomplishments, the [[American Library Association]] thought that she was an ideal candidate for their list “100 of the most important leaders we had in the 20th century,” where she was ranked number 34.<ref name=ALA>McCormick, L. K. P. S. E. (1999)."100 of the most important leaders we had in the 20th century." ''[[American Libraries]]'', 30(11), 42.</ref> |
'''Virginia Proctor Powell Florence''' is a name that rarely comes up in conversation because few people have heard of her. However she is a trailblazer in both [[African-American history]] and the history of [[librarianship]]. Although others bypassed her accomplishments, the [[American Library Association]] thought that she was an ideal candidate for their list “100 of the most important leaders we had in the 20th century,” where she was ranked number 34.<ref name=ALA>McCormick, L. K. P. S. E. (1999)."100 of the most important leaders we had in the 20th century." ''[[American Libraries]]'', 30(11), 42.</ref> |
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Revision as of 21:15, 31 May 2009
 | This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (May 2009) |
Virginia Proctor Powell Florence is a name that rarely comes up in conversation because few people have heard of her. However she is a trailblazer in both African-American history and the history of librarianship. Although others bypassed her accomplishments, the American Library Association thought that she was an ideal candidate for their list “100 of the most important leaders we had in the 20th century,” where she was ranked number 34.[1]
Achievement
Virginia managed to become formally trained in librarianship at the Pittsburgh Carnegie Library School (now the University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences), during a time when African-Americans were rarely considered for admission into most predominantly white universities. Somehow Virginia was able to get admitted in 1922 regardless of the controversy surrounding her acceptance.[2] In 1923 she became the second African-American to be formally trained in librarianship, after Edward Christopher Williams. However, she was still the first Black woman in the United States to earn a degree in library science.[3]
Biography
Virginia Proctor Powell was the only child born to Socrates Edward and Caroline Elizabeth (Proctor) Powell on October 1, 1897 in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. Virginia spent her early years in Wilkinsburg until both her mother and father died in 1913. At this time Virginia moved to Pittsburgh to live with her aunt. She continued on with her education and pursued an English degree from Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. In 1919 Virginia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Oberlin and went out into the workforce.[2]
Career
Although Virginia is recognized for her place in the history of librarianship, her first few careers did not lead her in that direction. Upon graduating from Oberlin, Proctor Powell moved to St. Paul, Minnesota to work for the YWCA as a secretary in the Girl Reserves of the Colored Girls Work Section. After only a year, she understood St. Paul was not for her and she returned to Pittsburgh.[2]
Upon her return to Pittsburgh, Virginia realized that she wanted to become a teacher. While at Oberlin she was known to participate in community groups and campus literary clubs, and had a passion for working with children.[4] Virginia thought the combination of her real world experience working with children at the YWCA and her degree in English would be more than adequate qualifications for her to become a teacher. Unfortunately, the Pittsburgh school system did not see her qualifications in the same light. The Pittsburgh school system had progressed to allow the student population to become integrated but they were not yet ready for Black teachers to impress knowledge upon white students and therefore would not accept Virginia as a teacher. To her dismay, she could not find a job that she desired so Virginia settled and worked in her aunt’s beauty salon for two years. [2]
Not only was it apparent to Virginia that working in her aunt’s salon did not fit into her career goals but it was also apparent to her future husband, Charles Wilbur Florence. He did not want to see her lose sight of her goals and was her main advocate for her pursuit of a degree in librarianship. Charles knew that Virginia had the right amalgamation of academic success, determination, and a love for children and books to be triumphant in the program at the Carnegie Library School. Due to his encouragement, Virginia applied for the program and subsequently got in, despite the uproar about her race.[2]
Following her graduation, she applied to libraries across the country that seemed most likely to hire an African-American librarian. Proctor Powell was hired into the New York Public Library system where she remained until 1927. After leaving the New York Public Library system, Virginia achieved yet another First, she became the first African-American to take and pass the New York high school librarian's examination. After completion of the test, Virginia was appointed librarian at Seward Park High School in Brooklyn.[2]
On July 18, 1931, Virginia and Charles were finally married. [5] They both decided to delay marriage until this time to focus on their educations and careers. In addition to Virginia’s success, Charles was quite accomplished himself. He earned an undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh and spent two years at Harvard in a quest for a doctorate, however he did not complete the requirements. While in Boston, Charles was selected to become the president of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. After the wedding, the couple moved to Jefferson City so Charles could begin his appointment. Virginia took an eight year hiatus from librarianship to take on the role of “First Lady” of Lincoln University. In Missouri, Virginia was described as a stylish, soft-spoken librarian fond of social teas and reading clubs. [6]
In 1938 the couple moved again to follow another career opportunity for Charles, this time in Richmond, Virginia. In spite of this Proctor Powell Florence was unable to find work for herself in Richmond and decided to take a position in Washington, D.C. away from her husband. The move to Washington, D.C. allowed Proctor Powell Florence to return to librarianship where she worked at Cordoza High School until 1945. Due to health complications Proctor Powell Florence stopped working in the Washington, D.C. school system and returned to Richmond.[2]
Virginia’s health improved and allowed her to return to her career as a librarian. She worked in the Richmond school system at Maggie L. Walker Senior High School until 1965 when she retired from the field of librarianship.[2]Proctor Powell Florence’s contributions to librarianship did not go unnoticed by all. She was honored by the University of Pittsburgh in 1981 with a Special Award for Outstanding Professional Service[4]and again posthumously in 2004 with a plaque in the lobby of the Information Sciences Building. [7]
Virginia Proctor Powell Florence died at the age of 93 in 1991 in Richmond.[4]
Notes and references
- ^ McCormick, L. K. P. S. E. (1999)."100 of the most important leaders we had in the 20th century." American Libraries, 30(11), 42.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Gunn, A. C. (1989). "A black woman wants to be a professional.... (Virginia Proctor Powell Florence)(includes related article)". American Libraries, v20(n2), p154(154). Retrieved on 2009-05-24.
- ^ 175 Years of Black Pitt People and Notable Milestones. (2004). Blue Black and Gold 2004: Chancellor Mark A. Norenberg Reports on the Pitt African American Experience, 44. Retrieved on 2009-05-22.
- ^ a b c Virginia Proctor Powell Florence: A Remarkable Oberlin Alumna Librarian. (2005). Library Perspectives, (32), 5
- ^ Dyer, E. (2008a)."The Great Debater". Pitt Magazine.Retrieved on 2009-05-27.
- ^ Dyer, E. (2008). "The Next Page: Charles Wilbur Florence, Pittsburgh's 'Great Debater'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved on 2009-05-25.
- ^ "First Librarian"(2004, April 12, 2004). Pitt Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-05-27