Interview with Betty Brown-Williamson, June 12, 2023

Partial Transcript: Today is June the 12th, 2023, and I am blessed to be here with Mrs. Betty Brown-Williamson.

Segment Synopsis: Mrs. Brown-Williamson briefly describes her family, from her grandparents to her siblings. She then talks about being raised in Dublin, GA, and why she calls it home.

Keywords: Dublin, Georgia; Perlina Dudley Brown; Robert Brown Sr.; Family

Partial Transcript: Tell me about your earliest experiences, and start off--if you can--tell me what they said about the day you were actually born.

Segment Synopsis: Brown-Williamson recalls a conversation she had with her father about her premature birth, and a midwife in Dublin who nursed her to health despite doctors' predictions that she would die.

Keywords: Asphidity bags; Dublin, GA; Herbal / alternative medicine; Premature babies; Midwifery

Partial Transcript: Well now we're going to go to elementary school, did they have Pre-K?

Segment Synopsis: Brown-Williamson talks about her elementary school experiences, and how her mother prepared her to enter the first grade. She then discusses playing xylophone in the high school band, her mother's insistence upon her scholastic participation, and her learning to type.

Keywords: Equalization schools; Oconee High School; Susie Dasher Elementary School; Telfair Street School

Partial Transcript: I remember my first introduction to Greeks was the practice teacher in my typing class.

Segment Synopsis: Brown-Williamson describes how she became interested in joining Alpha Kappa Alpha, and the academic competition between she and her friends in high school. She ascribes this drive to succeed to her mother's philosophy of making the most of what one has been given.

Keywords: HBCUs; NPHC / Divine Nine; Sororities; Typists; Alpha Kappa Alpha

Partial Transcript: You asked me to go from 10th grade, and I'm not remembering anything outstanding about 10th grade.

Segment Synopsis: Brown-Williamson discusses going to the prom in her junior and senior years and reflects on her grandmother's superstitious beliefs. She then talks about one-act plays and public speaking assignments she did in high school and emphasizes the importance of learning to effectively communicate.

Keywords: One-act plays; Public speaking; Superstitions; High school proms

Partial Transcript: We used to have baccalaureate Sundays, so this could have been baccalaureate Sunday.

Segment Synopsis: Brown-Williamson talks about leaving high school and entering Stillman College. She reflects on being elected president of her dorm and the opportunities to connect with people that position provided.

Keywords: Gender discrimination; Student government associations / SGA; Tuscaloosa, AL; Stillman College / HBCUs

Partial Transcript: As a part of the SGA as well, I ended up typing up all of my reports and all of that kind of stuff...

Segment Synopsis: Brown-Williamson discusses how she utilized her training as a typist and became involved in two work-study programs in addition to typing papers for her fellow students.

Keywords: Stillman College; Typists; Work-study programs

Partial Transcript: There, we wanted to find out from those members at the church, we were looking for members of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Segment Synopsis: Brown-Williamson discusses the long, difficult process of forming the Delta Sigma chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha as a charter member. She also makes note of the disproportionately white faculty and the challenge of relating to them the importance of establishing a new AKA chapter.

Keywords: HBCUs; Sororities; Stillman College; Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma chapter

Partial Transcript: Mrs. Williamson, I would like for you to tell me your other affiliations with your sorority, AKA...

Segment Synopsis: Brown-Williamson discusses her involvement with the NAACP while at Stillman and how that involvement informed the ways in which she interacted with white people.

Keywords: Civil Rights Movement; Race relations; United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Partial Transcript: Well let's go back to Stillman.

Segment Synopsis: Brown-Williamson describes her involvement in the Civil Rights Movement during her time at Stillman, and how she learned to shield her mother from the reality of her involvement. She then talks about the various organizations she was in and emphasizes her desire to participate in positive organizations.

Keywords: Civil Rights demonstration; Collegiate organizations; Tuscaloosa, AL; Youth NAACP

Partial Transcript: Let's finish talking about what else you have had going on with AKA at any level...

Segment Synopsis: Brown-Williamson discusses her role as a charter member of the Eta Xi chapter of AKA at the University of Georgia, her participation in the organization, and her various roles within it.

Keywords: AKA, Eta Xi chapter; Athens, GA; UGA sororities; Evelyn Wright

Partial Transcript: So I'm going to ask you this question, and since I do plan to interview you twice, and thank you for volunteering...

Segment Synopsis: Brown-Williamson gives advice to the younger generation and the interview concludes.

Keywords: Accountability; Faith; Individuality