Mattie Reynolds Oral History Interview (1 of 3)

Mattie Reynolds Oral History Interview (1 of 3)

In this, the first of three interviews, Mattie Reynolds describes the interactions between the white and Black communities in Eugene during her lifetime. She also describes the experiences her children had in school, including the racist treatment that her children were subjected to from their teachers and classmates. The interview concludes with a discussion of Juneteenth, which Mrs. Reynolds and her family in the South celebrated by hosting barbeque parties, playing baseball, and dancing.

Mattie Reynolds (1918-2010) was born in Bossier Parish, Louisiana and moved to Eugene, Oregon from Shreveport, Louisiana so that her husband could pursue work with the railroad. The mother of twelve children, Reynolds was a founding member of St. Mark Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and was also the first African American to seek elective office in Eugene, running for a seat on the City Council in 1966. During the 1960s she participated in sit-ins and other protests to advance the cause of civil rights in Eugene.

Mattie Reynolds

Oregon Black Pioneers Oral History Collection (OH 42)

Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Oregon State University Libraries

1993

Black History Club students, Jefferson Middle School, Eugene, Oregon

Digitized Videotape

English

Oral History

oh42-reynolds-mattie-1993-1

Black History Club students, Jefferson Middle School, Eugene, Oregon

Mattie Reynolds

Reynolds residence, Eugene, Oregon

Digitized Videotape

0:10:01

video