Oral History Interview with Ella Mae Gothard Bransom

Ella Mae Gothard Bransom, an African American woman, discusses her time as a resident of Anacostia and her children's experiences growing up in the area. She provides information about her work with community organizations, such as the Urban League, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the National Parent-Teacher Association, as well as about education at Birney School and the various occupations she has held throughout her life. She also describes typical family life of community residents during the 1940s and 1950s. Bransom talks about important landmarks in Anacostia, including the Frederick Douglass Home, Campbell AME Church, and St. Elizabeth's Hospital, as well as what the transportation, recreation, and police force were like at the time. Throughout the interview, she discusses her opinions on various sociopolitical subjects (welfare, the political parties, and anti-Semitism). Ella Mae Gothard Bransom was interviewed on January 8, 1971 by an unnamed volunteer or staff member at Anacostia Neighborhood Museum (now the Anacostia Community Museum). Her husband, S. Leslie Bransom, was present during the interview. Digital audio files include white noise and static; interviewee can be heard clearly for most parts.