doi:10.7916/d8-xynv-r202Oral history interview with Allyce Hamilton, 1999Hamilton, Allyceoral historiesmixed materialCivil rights movements--History--20th century.--United StatesCivil rights demonstrations--United StatesCivil rights demonstrations--MissouriDiscrimination in employment--United StatesUnited States Race relations 20th centuryHamilton, AllyceSt. Louis Committee of Racial EqualityAmerican Committee on AfricaAllyce Hamilton begins this interview by describing her family background and early exposure to the civil rights movement. Hamilton recalls her father, a doctor, treating patients at The People's Hospital, one of few hospitals in St. Louis that were open to Black residents, and her mother working as a teacher. After attending St. Louis University, Hamilton taught at Washington Elementary School for ten years. Hamilton describes hiding her marriage from her employers, the challenges faced by Black men on the job market, and her late husband's experience as a Black veteran. Hamilton recalls her initial engagement with the civil rights movement. She began attending St. Louis CORE upon its founding in 1947. Hamilton describes CORE's early meetings, which were held in the Centennial Christian Church. She also speaks to the chapter's first campaign, which aimed to desegregate the lunch counters of the Stix, Baer and Fuller department store. Hamilton discusses her experiences with discrimination in downtown St. Louis and her attendance of the March on Washington. In addition to her teaching career and participation in CORE, Hamilton discusses her interest in African culture and history. In the midst of African decolonization movements, Hamilton became involved in the St. Louis Committee on Africa and the American Committee on Africa. Hamilton explains several cultural exchange programs she participated in, including the St. Louis Sister Cities Committee, the American Friends Service Committee, and University of Washington's Host Family Program. She speaks briefly regarding her health and the kindness of a former student, Charlene Dummet. Also discussed in the interview is the cost of medicine, gun control, and racial violence in America; the deaths of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and John F. Kennedy; Hamilton's experiences with the United Nations Association of St. Louis; and her travel to Europe