Narrated by Charlotte Ham
Video by African American Museum of Southern Arizona
Video narrated by Charlotte Ham
Video production by Jenny Li (AAMSAZ)
Narrated by Stacey Snowden
Video by African American Museum of Southern Arizona
This is a recording of FireSide Chat with Stacey Snowden, the daughter of the late Fred Snowden, the first African American head coach at a major American university. In this video, Stacey shares her father’s legacy and the impact he had on Arizona’s basketball history. Find out how Fred Snowden’s hiring in the early 1970s laid the foundation for the modern era of Arizona basketball and how he created a family atmosphere among his players that still bonds them today. This chat also sheds light on the challenges and racism Fred Snowden faced as the first African American head coach and how his hiring opened doors for other African American coaches in college basketball. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about a pivotal figure in the history of University basketball.
Narrated by Dene Wallace
Video by African American Museum of Southern Arizona
Dene Wallace is an Arizona native, born in Nogales, Arizona, in the 1950s. While Dene has her own compelling story, her passion lies in preserving the memory of her mother’s extraordinary life, that of Mildred Eveline Simpson Bennett. Mrs. Bennett was a distinguished educator, a tireless Civil Rights activist, and a revered leader in the Nogales community.
According to the photos generously provided by her daughter, Dene, it becomes evident that these young ladies, and many others, were fortunate students of Mrs. Bennett. These pictures were submitted during a 1994 reunion held in Nogales to honor the legacy of Mrs. Bennett. Notably, the majority of these photographs feature the children of Buffalo soldiers, reflecting their unique heritage as they had Black fathers and Hispanic mothers.
Among these cherished images, there are a few capturing children who were actually siblings of Mrs. Bennett herself, further highlighting the deep impact of her teaching legacy. Mrs. Bennett’s influence extended far and wide, leaving an indelible mark on the lives she touched.
Copyright © 2023, African American Museum of Southern Arizona. All Rights Reserved. No image, sound or text from this site can be used without the expressed written permission of the museum’s Board of Directors.
Janet Harmon Bragg spent the major part of her life encouraging blacks to become active in aviation. She was an active pilot for over 35 years, earned a Commercial Pilot License and logged over 2,000 flying hours. In 1984, Bragg was honored by the University of Arizona Black Alumni Association as the first black woman to receive a commercial pilot’s license in the USA. She also was presented the Certificate of Appreciation by the FAA and was awarded the Bishop Wright Air Industry Award for her contributions to aviation by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Janet Bragg is part of the Women in Flight Exhibit in Hangar 1.
Janet Harmon Bragg was an American amateur aviator. From her humble beginnings, she became the first African American woman to earn a private pilot’s license in the United States in 1934 and, in 1942, the first African-American woman to hold a commercial pilot license. (Bessie Coleman did earn a pilot’s license but went to France to do so.)
An aviation pioneer, Janet Harmon Bragg, broke barriers and soared to heights in the early 20th century. Her legacy, marked by courage and determination, continues to inspire generations. She moved to Tucson, Arizona, from Chicago due to her husband’s pulmonary illness and brought in tow her nephew, Clarence Harper, whom she had been raising, and was also there for his son, Clarence Harper, Jr., who both still reside in Tucson.
Ms. Harmon Bragg had an extraordinary life story, one of resilience, determination, and groundbreaking achievements. Born in Griffin, Georgia, on March 24, 1907, she faced numerous obstacles due to her gender and race but ultimately left an indelible mark on aviation history.
Pioneering African American Aviator
African Americans Who Flew First
Narrated by her nephews, The Harper Family
Video by African American Museum of Southern Arizona
Ms. Bragg’s contributions to aviation were recognized posthumously when she was inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame in 2000. Prior to this, she had been honored with the Bishop Wright Aviation Industry Award in 1985 and received certificates of appreciation from the US Department of Transportation and recognition from Women in Aviation International and the aerospace industry. She was a 2022 inductee to the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.
Janet Harmon Bragg’s legacy as a trailblazer and inspiration to future generations of African American pilots is cemented not only in her achievements but also in her unwavering determination to defy the odds and pursue her dreams.
Copyright © 2023, African American Museum of Southern Arizona. All Rights Reserved. No image, sound or text from this site can be used without the expressed written permission of the museum’s Board of Directors.
Jack Roosevelt Robinson (January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972), the first African American Major League Baseball (MLB) player, broke the color barrier in 1947.
His impact on and off the field inspired the civil rights movement. In 1997, MLB retired his No. 42 jersey across all teams – the first athlete in any sport to receive this honor. They also established “Jackie Robinson Day,” observed annually on April 15, where all players wear No. 42 to commemorate his legacy.
He was a trailblazer, winning prestigious awards and contributing to the Dodgers’ World Series victory. His legacy continues to be celebrated for breaking racial barriers in sports and society.
photo provided by Irma Sherwood Moran
Narrated by Irma Sherwood Moran
Video by African American Museum of Southern Arizona
Video narrated by Irma Sherwood Moran
Video production by Mingde & Jenny Li (AAMSAZ)
Harriet Tubman was born a slave in 1821 near the eastern shore of Maryland. When she heard that her deceased master’s property would be sold she escaped to freedom in Pennsylvania. When she discovered what it was to be free, she wanted to help other people to freedom. She knew that her efforts would require money and therefore she worked part-time jobs until she had enough money for her first mission. She traveled to Baltimore and rescued her sister and her two children. She made at least fifteen trips to the south and lead at least 200 people to freedom.
All Harriet Tubman’s trips were successful because she was a master in planning the strategy of each of her escape operations. No detail was missed by her. She planned for food, clothing, train tickets and forged passes. She even included sedatives for crying babies. She never lost a passenger. On at least one occasion, she threatened to shoot a passenger who had second thoughts about escaping. The overnight stops on what came to be know as the Underground Railroad were a network of homes and churches. The churches raised money to assist Tubman’s efforts.
With the outbreak of the Civil War, Harriet Tubman supported the war effort as a nurse, a cook and a scout for the Union Army. Whatever she did, her services were always welcome. Tubman received official commendations from numerous Union Army officers. It is said that no officer failed to tip his hat when he saw her. Despite her efforts for the war, she received no veterans benefits of her own.
Her reputation for freeing slaves was known throughout the slave community. She was often compared to Moses who led the Israelites of the Bible to freedom. Her contemporaries referred to her as a heroine, saying “her likes it is probable was never known before or since.”
Throughout her life Harriet Tubman maintained an interest in the welfare of others. She raised money for schools, former slaves, destitute children and assisted the sick and the disabled. Toward the end of her life Harriet Tubman worked to establish a home for the elderly. She passed away in 1913 in the “Harriet Tubman Home for Aged and Indigent Colored People.”
The singer Paul Robeson would sing the spiritual “Go Down Moses” and explain that it was a protest song of slaves who had Harriet Tubman in mind.
Go down Moses, Way down in Egypt land, Tell ole pharaoh, Let my people go.
Recorded by AAMSAZ
Elgie Mike Batteau was an educator who was courageous with humility. She was an advocate for SOCIAL JUSTICE before that term was used, but she felt responsible for society. Mrs. Batteau was a University of Arizona graduate who integrated the U of A student union swimming pools and moved here and stayed with her Aunt Rosa (Barnes), who moved to Tucson in 1916.
She taught at the Dunbar School and then moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in the early 1940s, where she taught at the Phoenix Union Colored High School.
This high school was built specifically for African American children and opened as a segregated school for high school students in 1926. Mrs. Batteau was concerned about the school’s name and wanted the children to have pride in their school and pushed for the school to be named George Washington Carver High School after the scholar, scientist and educator.
Black students at the University of Arizona have developed an academic honor society “The Elgie Batteau Honor Society.” Mrs. Batteau and her husband Matthew were of strong faith and dedicated long service to Prince Chapel A.M.E. Church in Tucson and Tanner Chapel A.M.E. Church in Phoenix. In addition they tutored and were mentors for many of their former students as many became teachers following in their footsteps. They held a Day Camp where they taught math, reading, language skills, and shop. This Day Camp included lunch and always Mr. Batteau’s famous Iced Mint Tea!
Recorded by AAMSAZ
CR Patterson owned the largest Black-Owned Business in the world in 1900. He and his wife had six children. One of CR Patterson’s sons Fredrick Douglas Patterson (1871 to 1932) was athletic and was Butch Patterson’s grandfather. Butch has been a Tucsonan for over 40 years. Fredrick and his younger brother Samuel worked for their father in his business. Patterson and Sons was located on Washington Street in Greenfield, Ohio, and the factory was about 50,000 square feet and housed in 2 buildings. These buildings are where buggies, buses, and autos were made, along with a repair shop.
CR Patterson was one of the wealthiest people in the town, (earning around $150,000 in the early 1900’s which is equivalent to $2,445,631.58 in 2022). He and his family, children, and grandchildren all lived in a large home. He and his family were highly respected and involved in the AME Church and the community.
Frederick Douglass Patterson attended Ohio State University from 1891 – 1893 and was the first Black to integrate the football and baseball teams. Frederick joined the company in 1898, and was the driving force behind the development of the automobile manufacturing that came to fruition on September 23, 1915 as the first car rolled off the assembly line.
Icon Photos By Joe Jackson
Narration by Bob Elliott
Reserve a court to play basketball or pickle ball. The main contact for groups must leave a phone number and/or an email. Memberships are available or daily fees are required for access. Everyone must wear a mask. Reserve a room for an event, a classroom or meeting room and bring the kids to play on the playground.
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Weekends: Closed Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays.
Video production by Ken Roth Associates.
Website by AAMSAZ
Logo Design by Felicia Penza -feliciapenza@gmail.com
Museum is located on the Campus of the University of Arizona
Student Union Room 244
(1303 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85719)
Park in the 2nd Street Garage
