Interview with Gussie Davis Phillips, October 26, 2011

Gussie Davis Phillips is interviewed by her niece, Mattie Davis Hubbard about her involvement with civil rights and community activism. Phillips discusses her brothers' involvement in the World War II effort. She recalls her brothers' fight for community needs in Ocilla, GA such as a school, improvement of living conditions, and other governmental help. Phillips discusses her brothers' efforts to teach masonry and carpentry to locals and explains the importance of these skills to the community. Phillips recalls her efforts in writing to the Department of Education to secure help for the community. She discusses the loan obtained which successfully built a new school and the continued efforts to persuade the Department of Education to build more schools. Phillips recalls the 1965 integration of schools and the involvement of SNCC. She discusses discrimination in other areas such as funeral homes and construction. Phillips recalls threats of lynching and the indifference shown by police. She mentions Koinonia Farm, CB King, and building houses near Americus. Phililps comments on "separate but equal" and Pleasant Grove First Baptist Church.

2011-10-26

RBRL175OHD-015

70 minutes