GALLERY
Black Victorians were seen as early as 1839 in England. Intelligent, well-educated, and well-dressed the Black Victorians were Black women who followed the fashion ideals of white society while still maintaining the Black cultural traditions. This trend occurred in both England and the United States. Sara Forbes Bonetta, an African princess, became Queen Victoria’s goddaughter and was viewed as the ultimate Black Victorian socialite.
Evelyn J. Frazier’s groundbreaking contributions to the cultural, civic, economic, and political life of Atlanta began in the mid-1930s. Evelyn rose to local and national prominence through her business, Frazier's Café Society, which she owned with her husband, Luther Frazier. A dreamer whose primary mission was to improve life for Colored people, Evelyn created avenues for community and civic engagement.
In 1909, the Georgia State Board of Nurse Examiners did not allow people of color to take the state licensing exam. A nurse by training and serving as hospital superintendent, Ludie Clay Andrews began legal proceedings against the board regarding this restriction. This persisted for over 10 years. The board offered to license her alone as an "exceptional individual," but she refused unless all interested people of color were allowed. She succeeded in her effort in 1920.
Photos: Clothes Story, Atlanta (February-March 2022)
