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3.

to find out that Washington's libraries were open to Negro citizens, unlike Columbus where we were not allowed to use the facilities at all. My family enrolled me in [[strikethrough]] to [[/strikethrough]] Armstrong Technical High School where I got a good basic education including elective courses in architectural and mechanical drawing. In those days it wasn't customary [[strikethrough]] that young [[/strikethrough]] for girls [[strikethrough]] took[[/strikethrough]] to take courses of such a nature, but I felt the urge to build and create. During my years of Armstrong I also learned [[strikethrough]]to make hats, puppets [[/strikethrough]] millinery,  and costume designing.[[strikethrough]] s [[/strikethrough]] I knew that whatever I chose to do in life, I would be using my hands and creative thoughts.

[[strikethrough]] My family lived in a small house on Fifteenth Street, I remember my baby sister Maurice planting a tiny holly tree in our front lawn. At that time I never realized that this little scrub would be the inspiration to for many of my future works of art and for my basic style of painting. [[/strikethrough]]

Completing my schooling at Armstrong, I entered the Miner [[strikethrough]] o [[/strikethrough]] Teachers' Normal School. After completing my teacher training there, I took a position in Wilmington, Delaware as a kindergarten teacher for six years. This was an enjoyable experience for me dealing with young children. I felt a special connection with children, I enjoyed seeing them create beauty. They [[strikethrough]] inspired [[/strikethrough]] stimulated my own sense of creativity. We made [[strikethrough]] puppets [[/strikethrough]] ceramics, clay animals, and created scenery for our little plays. I suppose my maternal instincts were satisfied and fulfilled by [[strikethrough]] my [[/strikethrough]] nurturing students most of my life.

Upon leaving Delaware, I returned to my family in Washington and decided to enroll in Howard University. I had an ardent interest in home