Oral Histories
The Stillwater African American Heritage Collection is a series of interviews focused on the Black community of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and in particular former students of Washington School.
Cleo McGlory
Cleo McGlory, born in 1943, recalls his youth in the African American community of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and attending Washington School. He talks about his experiences as a high school and college wrestler, earning a math degree, and having a long teaching career in Oklahoma schools.
“After years to reflect back upon your previous experiences you come to appreciate them a lot more. Years after that than when you were actually going through the experience itself. I think that my experience at Washington was great because I think they had caring teachers.” - McGlory
Do you remember the ‘56 and ‘59 floods? ”Yeah, I do. We got flooded a couple times where we had to all go down, pretty much to the fairgrounds, get commodity food, cheese, and spam, and things like that. Yeah, a number of floods we experienced.” - McGlory
Willie Pradia and Birdie Neal
Willie Ann Pradia and her daughter Birdie Neal discuss their lives growing up in Stillwater as African Americans. Willie shares stories of what she did for fun as a child, her memories of Washington School, what kind of businesses were in the community, and how segregation and integration affected her. She also discusses how she was raised—with church and faith playing a significant role in her life.
“My sister went to school younger than what you’re supposed to be going to school. The teachers were considerate of different families and what they needed, and they did accordingly.” - Willie Pradia
I take it you were in home ec. Did you have to cook? “Yes. During the year we made candy and different breads and stuff. That was required. You had to learn measurements and cook. You had to learn how to sew, and you got some licks if you cut your material wrong. They didn't hesitate because your mom and them had spent money buying that material. And you had to learn how to cut. … I know that to this day.” - Willie Pradia
“I was never unhappy at the school, but a lot of kids didn't adjust to it. They didn't. A lot of people could feel the prejudice because a lot of [white] families taught that [to their children] and it was rooted in a lot of those kids.” - Willie Pradia
“I think a lot of people just– change is difficult for a lot of people. And it's how you set your mind to receive that change” - Birdie Neal
“I remember when integration came. There was a jewelry store called–I don’t know if it was called Leonard’s back then. But it was a jewelry store. In the back was where they cooked hamburgers. We went there. And the lady said, “You all can come in the front door now and order. You don't have to come back here to order any more.” - Willie Pradia