Janet Brown Strafer, Karen Ely, and Lynn Briley Oral History Interview, 2019

Scope and content:

Oral history conducted for the Living the Legacy: 50th Anniversary of African Americans in Residence commemoration. Janet Brown Strafer arrived at William & Mary in 1967 as part of the first cohort of African Americans in Residence. During her time at William & Mary she was involved in the Young Democrats and the Black Students Organization. Brown Strafer graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and again in 1977 with a Master of Education degree. She pursued a career as a Department of the Army Civilian and worked in federal service for 35 years. Lynn Fontanne Briley arrived at William & Mary in 1967 as part of the first cohort of African Americans in Residence. During her time at William & Mary she was involved in the Black Students Organization. Briley received a Bachelor of Arts in English and graduated in 1971. She then went on to pursue a career in education, teaching for Portsmouth Public Schools for over 40 years and continuing her career at Tidewater Community College, Portsmouth Campus. Karen Odell Ely arrived at William & Mary in 1967 as part of the first cohort of African Americans in Residence. During her time at William & Mary she was involved in the William & Mary Chorus, Circle K, and the Black Students Organization. Ely received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and graduated in 1971. She then went on to pursue a career in the field of radiation protection, serving as a health physicist for over 27 years.

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Parent restrictions:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Parent terms of access:
Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Curator of Manuscripts and Rare Books, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.