Oral history interview with Sallie E. Underdue

Sallie E. Underdue, an African American woman born around 1909, talks about what Anacostia was like when she was younger, remembering her time at Dunbar High School and Miner Teaching College. She provides details about Jenny Simpson's Hat Shop, Dr. Shipley's Pharmacy (Dr. Rezin Shipley was her uncle), and Dr. Hamilton's dentistry as well as more information about the segregated communities of Barry Farm-Hillsdale and Uniontown. She discusses popular music at the time, such as saxophonist Elzie S. Hoffman and ragtime composer Scott Joplin. She also describes how her father, Bruce Underdue, was strict about her attending public events, so she used to go walking in the evenings to Green Willow Park. Underdue speaks about how different neighborhood families were related or connected to each other, such as the Graham and Greene families and the Andersons and Howards. She recalls her work as clerk at the Veterans Administration, a receptionist at Mason's Funeral Home, and a teacher's aide at St. Philip's Episcopal Church as well as her involvement with the National Sewing Council of the United States. She goes on to discuss her family, including her five brothers and sisters and numerous nieces and nephews. Sallie E. Underdue was interviewed by John Tetrault on December 9, 1975. Digital audio files include white noise and static; interviewee can be heard for some parts.