My Charlye O. Farris field trip
come along as I learn about my hometown Black history
Charlye Ola Farris was the first Black woman to become a licensed attorney in the state of Texas.
She practiced law for more than 50 years in Wichita Falls, Texas (where I was born).
I finally had a chance to visit this sculpture after learning about her for the first time last year.
There was a family visiting because the fourth-grader had a school project on her. The dad captured this moment for me.
“Farris received her law degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1953. During her final year Farris’ class worked on the landmark racial desegregation case, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka.’
Mr. Dixon exploded on the art world with his first commission–a sculpture of the only Black Fighter Pilot during World War I, Eugene Bullard, for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. His strict attention to the authentic detail of his subjects has led to important commissions.
Mr. Dixon’s work can be found in national historical sites, the Pentagon, West Point, in many war memorials and national parks throughout the United States, and in more than 50 countries abroad.
When I discovered her a year ago and saw his name as the person commissioned, I made a note.
I finally sat down to dig deeper. I found his number, called him, no answer, but he called me back. We talked for over an hour. *grabs heart*
I cannot wait to dig deeper and learn more and more about Charlye Ola Farris and the history she made. My oldest brother said she even helped our mother.
And YES, Eddie Dixon will be featured on ‘Black Stories We Should All Know’! He is a walking set of encyclopedias on Black history - heavily focused on the unknown!
THANKS SO MUCH for being here.
Hugs, Love, and Gratitude Y’all!
Sally Mc
What an inspirational story! I cannot wait to learn more about her, when I started reading, I usually read years out loud, and it’s fun to read your columns out loud because sometimes I might quote them in a different story when I’m learning about someone new in my life during black history And I’ll quote you “Black Stories We Should All Know…” (Insert exciting, emphatic clap here) it’s my favorite part! That’s when I know we’re digging down to the good part. I went to house of science and history, formerly known as The Pink Palace in Memphis, about 15 minutes away from the civil rights Museum, and they had lots of information that stays up all year round about Civil Rights, and other similar adventures. Also, some students got to research and draw some of their favorite black inspirational artist and figures throughout history, and I took some pictures so I could go back and research some of them, but most of them I had known about. We went because my son really likes rockets and anything space related, and we really enjoy Dr. Mae Jamison. Plus, I was shocked to learn that the book about her that we have his band, but that makes me want to get more banned books and I’m not afraid to do it either. We have several in the house already. Also, my son also enjoys Leland Melvin, the astronaut that got to take a picture with his dogs.