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    Public Oral
History Archive

    A young Danté sits at a desk, reviewing notes from a yellow legal pad. He is wearing a brown shirt and white vest. Copy of Pegues, Janetta_Bio Photo with Roz Warren A sepia photo of an African American family: the Hatch's. Father Marshall Hatch sits at the back in a suit, with the 8 Hatch siblings in front and beside him.

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    • Allen Schwartz

      Allen Schwartz and his family moved to Jane Addams Homes during World War II, into a one bedroom apartment. He recalls the good and bad of his neighborhood and surrounding areas, ranging from a close-knit community to bullyi…

      Content warnings: derogatory terms used, overt racism
      Pronouns: he/him
      Public Housing Complex(es): Jane Addams Homes
      Themes: Judaism, anti-semitism, racism, family, neighborhood changes, White Flight
      Primary Location(s): Jane Addams Homes, Little Italy, Garden Theater, Budong Woods, Forest Preserves, Taylor St., Roosevelt Ave, Racine Ave, Morgan St
      Primary Time Period(s): 1943–1953
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    • Crystal Palmer

      In this oral history Crystal describes her experience growing up in the Henry Horner Homes and having a challenging and tragic childhood. Crystal eventually begins working in Chicago Public Housing as a janitor, and ultimate…

      Content warnings: death, drug/alcohol addiction, domestic violence, colorism
      Pronouns: she/her/hers
      Public Housing Complex(es): Henry Horner Homes, West Haven
      Themes: overcoming adversity, Drug Addiction
      Primary Location(s): Chicago, IL
      Primary Time Period(s): 1960s-2000s
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    • Mr. Danté

      Dante lived in public housing from the time of his birth until the age of 18. He never felt any stigma associated with his home and has very positive memories of the experience. His father organized the neighborhood social c…

      Content warnings: None
      Pronouns: he/him/his
      Public Housing Complex(es): Garden Valley Neighborhood House, Ohio Metropolitan Housing Authority
      Themes: neighborhood social club, community support, publishing industry, entrepreneurship, positive experience in public housing, community activist
      Primary Location(s): Kinsman Road, Chicago, New York, Garden Valley Neighborhood House Community Center, East Technical High School
      Primary Time Period(s): 1961–present
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    • Daphany Rose Sanchez

      In this oral history, Daphany talks about her experience growing up in public housing and her journey within learning about the history of said housing with hopes to move towards humanizing the residencies. Since the age of …

      Content warnings: None
      Pronouns: she/her/hers
      Public Housing Complex(es): Marcy Houses, Cooper Park Houses
      Themes: Climate Change, Environmental Racism, Gentrification, Housing, Entrepreneurship, Intergenerational Public Housing
      Primary Location(s): Brooklyn, NY, New York City
      Primary Time Period(s): 1990s-2021
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    • Hatch Sisters Group Interview

      This interview features sisters Anna, Jennie, and Rhoda Hatch and their retelling of what it was like growing up in Jane Addams. The trio excitedly shares their perspectives of childhood, schooling, and the swift changes of …

      Content warnings: Death, physical violence, houselessness
      Pronouns: None
      Public Housing Complex(es): Jane Addams Homes, ABLA Homes
      Themes: Family, Togetherness
      Primary Location(s): Chicago, Jane Addams Homes
      Primary Time Period(s): 1960s-1970s
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    • Janetta Pegues

      In this oral history, Janetta shares memories about living in the Jane Addams homes where she remembers all great memories of her family and community garden. She speaks highly on her family and their strong religious connec…

      Content warnings: Death
      Pronouns: she/her/hers
      Public Housing Complex(es): Jane Addams Homes, also known as “The Village”, ABLA Homes
      Themes: Religious Beliefs, Great Migration, Entrepreneurship, Gardening, Feasting
      Primary Location(s): Chicago
      Primary Time Period(s): 1960s–1982
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    • Janetta Pegues & Allen Schwartz Joint Interview

      In this oral history, narrators Janetta and Allen share their memories of growing up in public housing and life on Taylor Street. With varying timelines and viewpoints of their homes, the narrators take turns sharing how thi…

      Content warnings: None
      Pronouns: she/her (Janetta); he/him (Allen)
      Public Housing Complex(es): Jane Addams Homes, ABLA, aka “The Village”
      Themes: gentrification, neighborhood change, racial equity, community
      Primary Location(s): Near West Side, Chicago, “The Village” aka ABLA
      Primary Time Period(s): 1940s–1980s
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    • Mary Baggett

      In this Oral history Miss Baggett discusses being a resident of ABLA public housing. She describes the changes of the community as a result of gentrification and how market rate and mixed income housing differed from ABLA pu…

      Content warnings: None
      Pronouns: Miss Blugie
      Public Housing Complex(es): Jane Addams Homes, Brooks Homes, ABLA Homes
      Themes: Demolition, Eviction, Mixed Income, Section 8
      Primary Location(s): Chicago, IL
      Primary Time Period(s): 2002–present (Brooks Homes)
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    • Ramona Ferreyra

      Ramona speaks about finishing college & Moving back in with her grandmother to pursue her careers. As troubling times occur she expresses how losing people can change everything. Ramona took initiative to help for her co…

      Content warnings: death, police interactions, overt racism
      Pronouns: she/her
      Public Housing Complex(es): Senior Public Housing, Mitchel Houses
      Themes: Housing Rights Activist, Gentrification, Environmental Housing Issues, Community Organizing
      Primary Location(s): Bronx, New York City, Mott Haven
      Primary Time Period(s): 2002-2021
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    • Sokeo Ros

      Sokeo Ros shares his early experience escaping from genocide from his motherland of Cambodia. He along with his family fled to a Thai refugee camp. After moving a few times, Sokeo describes moving into a traumatizing neighbo…

      Content warnings: death, physical violence, gang violence
      Pronouns: he/him
      Public Housing Complex(es): Rhode Island Housing Authority, Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency
      Themes: Culture, diversity, Thailand Refugee Camp, Cambodian Civil War and Genocide, Experiencing and Coping with Trauma
      Primary Location(s): Iowa, Providence, Rhode Island (West End), California
      Primary Time Period(s): 1980s–2000s
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