Katherine Flossie Essay
Katherine "Flossie" Bailey, was a Hoosier leader for justice and equality. She was a Marion resident, Civil Rights leader and President of the Marion branch of the Indiana NAACP. She worked tirelessly - but unfortunately unsuccessfully - with the Indiana Attorney General in an attempt to bring the racist perpetrators of the heinous 1930 Marion Indiana lynchings of Thomas Shipp (age 17) and Abram Smith (age 18) and the attempted lynching of Dr. James Cameron (age 16) to justice. However, her work did pressure the Indiana legislature to pass a strong anti-lynching bill in March 1931. The Marion lynching was the last lynching in the North and the infamous photo of the heinous event inspired a Jewish NY songwriter to write the poem which Billie
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Soon she was known to everyone as Flossie. A spirited girl, Flossie was well-liked in her church and school. Her intelligence and kind heart made her a natural leader among her friends.
During the years of World War I Flossie frequently visited friends in Marion. During one of her visits, she was introduced to a new doctor who had just set up practice in Marion. Flossie’s high spirits won his heart. Soon Miss Flossie Harvey and Dr. Walter T. Bailey were husband and wife. A couple of years later Flossie gave birth to Walter Charles, the light of their lives.
Although Marion and Grant County had long been home to African-Americans and had a reputation for racial tolerance, equality had yet to be achieved. Flossie wanted more for her son and other African-Americans. She first started working to develop a Marion chapter of the NAACP in 1918. Only a few people joined in the early days but Flossie continued her efforts for racial equality.
Flossie was active in the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church where she led the Missionary Society for many years.
The Bailey home was a hub for out of town visitors. Since the Spencer Hotel refused black guests, Flossie often opened her home to state NAACP leaders. Flossie was soon recognized as a community leader at the state and national
Soon she was known to everyone as Flossie. A spirited girl, Flossie was well-liked in her church and school. Her intelligence and kind heart made her a natural leader among her friends.
During the years of World War I Flossie frequently visited friends in Marion. During one of her visits, she was introduced to a new doctor who had just set up practice in Marion. Flossie’s high spirits won his heart. Soon Miss Flossie Harvey and Dr. Walter T. Bailey were husband and wife. A couple of years later Flossie gave birth to Walter Charles, the light of their lives.
Although Marion and Grant County had long been home to African-Americans and had a reputation for racial tolerance, equality had yet to be achieved. Flossie wanted more for her son and other African-Americans. She first started working to develop a Marion chapter of the NAACP in 1918. Only a few people joined in the early days but Flossie continued her efforts for racial equality.
Flossie was active in the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church where she led the Missionary Society for many years.
The Bailey home was a hub for out of town visitors. Since the Spencer Hotel refused black guests, Flossie often opened her home to state NAACP leaders. Flossie was soon recognized as a community leader at the state and national