Thelma Turner interview

Description

Thelma Turner was a citizen of Baltimore in her youth and again later as an adult during the civil rights movement. In this oral history interview, Turner discusses what it was like to grow up as a Black child in Baltimore and how the prejudices and segregation affected her and her family. Turner recalls the barriers Blacks faced in accessing public parks, businesses, and restaurants. She highlights prominent figures like Governor Theodore R. McKeldin (1900-1974) and civil rights activist Lillie May Carroll Jackson(1889-1975), discussing their roles in the era. Turner further delves into her memories of the civil rights movement in Baltimore, recounting the riots that marked its later years. She recounts how her church and community became involved in the movement, sharing information and support among themselves. Lastly, Turner offers her perspective on the impact of the civil rights movement and riots on herself, her community, and the broader societal changes that ensued for Blacks in Baltimore.