Oral history interview with Mary Louise Williams, 2010

Biographical Note

Dancer, Apollo usher, public educator

Scope and Contents

Born in Cleveland, OH and found work as a dancer and barmaid during the 2nd World War. Travelled to NYC with a girlfriend in 1945, met Porto Rico by coincidence and worked as usher at the Apollo for 6 months. Fond memories of Porto Rico, big bands. Recounts WWII trip to Europe to entertain soldiers; racial tension on the front. Later years in Bronx public schools during period of unrest and poverty

Subjects

• Apollo Theater (New York, N.Y. : 125th Street)
• Educators--New York (State)--Bronx County.
• Edwards, Brent Hayes, interviewer.--http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/ivr
• Entertainers--United States--Interviews.
• Soldiers--Recreation--United States--History--20th century.
• Williams, Mary Louise, 1927---Interviews.
• World War, 1939-1945.

Access Conditions

Copyright by the Trustees of Columbia University of the City of New York and the Apollo Theater, 2011