Early Black Women at Cornell

R. C. Peyton. Letter to President Farrand. July 18, 1929.

In her letter to President Farrand, Ruth’s mother asks why her daughter has been excluded from Sage College and appeals to the president on her daughter’s behalf.

President Farrand,

Kind Sir –

I have a daughter Ruth Peyton of Olean NY who won a Cornell Scholarship and a State Scholarship of 1927, and has been in Cornell for two years, but has been forced on account of her being a colored student to room at Mrs. Jackson’s on Cascadilla St. several blocks from the Main car line and a very long distance from the school which makes it very inconvenient.

We have attempted to get her on the hill in a Dormitory or home, have been unsuccessful in both; the Dean of Women told Ruth and Pauline Davis a race girl of St. Louis who will not return this year that it was against the principals of the college to have colored girls in the Dormitories.

Now will you please answer my question? Why? When I noticed my self that the Dormitories were veritable melting pots for foreign nations, many much blacker than either of the girls in question; Is that a good precedent for an Institution of learning like Cornell to set? It looks like they gave Ruth the Scholarships and then said: “Now try and use them.” All our friends in Olean and we number among them the best white people of the town are so proud of Ruth, because she stood highest in number of points in a class of one hundred and thirty students all white, with the one exception. She plays for dancing and other events in Cornell for which we are very glad as it helps defray her expense, but she finds it difficult to get on the hill when needed.

Last spring she tried to put her name in for residence in one of the Dormitories and the register would not give her all application blanks. Ruth said it made her so nervous and unhappy she almost lost a week’s study and then gave up. She likes to use the Library but it makes it so late getting done when she does.

President Farrand please try and place yourself in the position of the colored student reaching for more knowledge‹not social equality, for we are God’s children made in his own image and there must be some good in them all.

This letter is written in the form of an appeal from a mother who is worried about her daughter.

Thank you in advance for a reply favorable or other wise.

I remain most Respectfully,

Mrs. R. C. Peyton


		The Challenge of Residency at Sage College, 1900s-1920s R. C. Peyton. Letter to President Farrand. July 18, 1929. In her letter to President Farrand, Ruth’s mother asks why her daughter has been excluded from Sage College and appeals to the president on her daughter’s behalf. President Farrand, Kind Sir – I have a daughter Ruth Peyton of Olean NY who won a Cornell Scholarship and a State Scholarship of 1927, and has been in Cornell for two years, but has been forced on account of her being a colored student to room at Mrs. Jackson’s on Cascadilla St. several blocks from the Main car line and a very long distance from the school which makes it very inconvenient. We have attempted to get her on the hill in a Dormitory or home, have been unsuccessful in both; the Dean of Women told Ruth and Pauline Davis a race girl of St. Louis who will not return this year that it was against the principals of the college to have colored girls in the Dormitories. Now will you please answer my question? Why? When I noticed my self that the Dormitories were veritable melting pots for foreign nations, many much blacker than either of the girls in question; Is that a good precedent for an Institution of learning like Cornell to set? It looks like they gave Ruth the Scholarships and then said: “Now try and use them.” All our friends in Olean and we number among them the best white people of the town are so proud of Ruth, because she stood highest in number of points in a class of one hundred and thirty students all white, with the one exception. She plays for dancing and other events in Cornell for which we are very glad as it helps defray her expense, but she finds it difficult to get on the hill when needed. Last spring she tried to put her name in for residence in one of the Dormitories and the register would not give her all application blanks. Ruth said it made her so nervous and unhappy she almost lost a week’s study and then gave up. She likes to use the Library but it makes it so late getting done when she does. President Farrand please try and place yourself in the position of the colored student reaching for more knowledge‹not social equality, for we are God’s children made in his own image and there must be some good in them all. This letter is written in the form of an appeal from a mother who is worried about her daughter. Thank you in advance for a reply favorable or other wise. I remain most Respectfully, Mrs. R. C. Peyton Continue the tour

The Challenge of Residency at Sage College, 1900s-1920s