Janis Smith Wilson interviewed by Margaret M. Mulrooney, 2024

Creator:

Wilson, Janis Smith, 1950-, Mulrooney, Margaret M., 1966-, and Mulrooney, Margaret M., 1966-

Extent:

5.6 Gigabytes 1 digital file and 01:13:57 Duration (HH:MM:SS.mmm)

Scope and content:

Records an interview with Janis Smith Wilson, who recounts her early education in segregated schools and subsequent experiences with desegregation in Staunton, Virginia, and her enrollment at Madison College. Wilson describes campus life as part of a small cohort of Black students, including residence hall experiences, social networks, and academic work in business and data processing. Discusses participation in student activities such as dance theater and details the founding of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on campus, covering topics such as organizing efforts, institutional requirements, and administrative support. Addresses relationships among Black students, strategies for building community, and participation in social and cultural activities both on and off campus. Additional topics include travel, financial constraints, changing campus conditions during the transition to coeducation and increased enrollment, interactions with faculty, and engagement with the Harrisonburg community. The interview was held in Roanoke, Virginia.

Language:

English

Biographical / historical:

Janis Smith Wilson (b. 1950) is a retired educator and school administrator who was among the early Black students to enroll at Madison College (now James Madison University) following desegregation. Born in Staunton, Virginia, she attended local schools and was raised in a family of educators in Augusta County's segregated school system, who supported her pursuit of higher education. She enrolled at Madison College in 1969 as a transfer student from Virginia State College (now Virginia State University). At Madison, she pursued a double major in business education and data processing and accounting, resided on campus, and co-founded the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc chapter, the first Black sorority on Madison College campus. Smith graduated in 1972 and began her career teaching in Virginia high schools, later continuing her work in education in New York, where she became a school administrator; she also earned two advanced degrees from Syracuse University.

Physical facet:

(.mp4)

Dimensions:

1920 x 1080

Names:

Wilson, Janis Smith, 1950-
Mulrooney, Margaret M., 1966-

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