First to integrate Lewes schools share memories

Five people who were among the first to integrate Lewes public schools in the early 1960s talked about their memories at a Black History Month event Feb. 22.

The program was held at Lewes Elementary School, the site of the former school where they broke the color barrier.

Gloria Allen Harmon (11th grade, 1961), Wendy Allen Hanner (fifth grade, 1961), Jimmy Allen (first grade, 1962), Sarah Daisey Minor (first grade, 1962) and Deborah Daisey Street (kindergarten, 1962) were on the panel.

Darryl Daisey, a member of the Lewes African American Heritage Commission, was the moderator. He laid out the timeline that led up to the integration of Lewes schools.

1875: Delaware passes Jim Crow law that effectively made Blacks second-class citizens

1919: Pierre S. du Pont donates $6 million to modernize Delaware public schools, which included construction of “colored” schools

1954: Brown vs. Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court decision strikes down separate but equal doctrine

1961: Blacks allowed to attend formerly whites-only Lewes public schools on a voluntary basis

1966: Official end to segregated schools in Lewes.

Daisey said prior to 1919, African Americans and Native Americans were relegated to attending one-room schools.

Harmon, who integrated in the 11th grade, was the first Black student to graduate from Lewes High School.

“On my first day, I went in and didn’t know what to expect. I had heard about things happening in the South. There were little whispers behind my back, but other than that, I didn’t have much of a problem,” she said.

“I was excited and glad to be there,” said Minor. “We were there a year after the first class, so I don’t think we got the same kind of attention.”

But, Street described her first day as traumatic.

“I remember crying for my mom and holding my sister Sarah’s hand,” Street said. “I had a teacher who didn’t want me to be there. The first day, she rapped my hand and other kids called me the N word.”

Darryl Daisey said Lewes police kept a close watch on the school and there was little violence.

Hanner said she did have to take matters into her own hands during one incident.

“There was a little lady who was supposed to be my friend. She got right in my face and called me the N-word. Well, I slapped her very hard,” she said. “I didn’t have any more problems after that.”

Several people in the audience applauded her story.

Some of the Daisey and Allen family members said they were teased by their African American friends for going to the white school.

The five panelists said how they were treated depended a lot on who their teachers were.

“I remember my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Wells, like it was yesterday. She was great. I remember kids getting their hands smacked, but it was never me,” Jimmy Allen said.

“My third-grade teacher, Mrs. Coleman, actually ordered some special pencils for me with my name and grade,” Minor said.

The Daiseys and Allens all thanked their parents for making their transitions as smooth as possible.

“I give my parents a lot of credit. Even though we weren’t able to go to kindergarten, my mom and dad taught us a lot at home. I knew how to read a little, spell my name. I knew my numbers and alphabet before I started first grade,” Minor said. “I remember there was a big meeting even before we were sent to school. I think [my parents] were trying to encourage other Black families to send their kids as well. Understandably, a lot of families were scared about sending their kids into that type of situation.”

The Allen and Daisey families were well-established in Lewes. They said that went a long way toward reducing animosity toward them.

“Lewes was a small town; everyone knew everyone. My father was more concerned with outsiders, because there had been some white supremacists protesting at other schools,” Darryl Daisey said.

Jimmy Allen said his family lived on Coleman Avenue. But, he said, he had to play on Park Avenue, which they called the Black section of town.

“That was the most traumatic experience for us,” he said.

Rob Schroeder, a Lewes native, said he grew up playing with the Allen and Daisey children. He said having them in school was not a big deal.

“There was a wonderful field where Shipcarpenter Square is now where we played when we were kids. We played kick-the-can with Bill Collick,” Schroeder told the panelists during a question-and-answer period. “That integrated childhood was an incredible, healthy experience.”

Minor said she is proud of the role she played in breaking the color barrier.

“Anyone who thought maybe Black kids were not as smart as white kids, we dispelled that myth. That made it easier for Black children who came after us. We were able to open the door for other people, and I’m proud of that,” she said.

Street had a message for kids today: “You can make a difference. There was only one little girl in my classroom who played with me. Her name was Annie. After all those years, I still remember her name. I think she got spanked at home because she played with me, but she still played with me.”

The city and the Lewes African American Heritage Commission presented the panelists with certificates of appreciation, thanking them for “their commitment to celebrating the rich cultural legacy of Black Delawareans who made a profound impact.”