Interview with Mrs. Harden, Mrs. Nelms, and Gladys Landrum (part one)

The John Burrison Georgia Folklore Archive recordings contains unedited versions of all interviews. Some material may contain descriptions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There are instances of racist language and description, particularly in regards to African Americans. These items are presented as part of the historical record. This project is a repository for the stories, accounts, and memories of those who chose to share their experiences for educational purposes. The viewpoints expressed in this project do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The Atlanta History Center makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interviews and expressly disclaims any liability therefore. If you believe you are the copyright holder of any of the content published in this collection and do not want it publicly available, please contact the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center at 404-814-4040 or reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. This is the first installment in a two-part recording; in this part a group of unidentified women demonstrate how to braid hair. At 8:12, one of the women discusses different braiding techniques and styles such as the horseshoe braid. At 9:35, another woman explains that braiding traditions are passed down generation by generation and additional techniques such as plaiting. Then at 14:35 she elaborates that farm workers almost exclusively wore braids for practical purposes when working in the fields. At 16:38, she briefly discusses the emergence of cornrows. Then at 18:29, she remembers plaiting tall grass as a child and then proceeds to teach the interviewer how to plait her hair. The recording ends with the woman discussing how plaits have become more fashionable over time. No biographical information about Mrs. Harden or Mrs. Nelms has been determined. Gladys Odella Landrum (1904-1995) was born in Reeltown, Alabama to Miles Clayton Machen (1858-1941) and Clara Eugenia Cooksey (1865-1938). She grew up in Chambers County, Alabama, and attended school at Harmony Methodist Church. In 1938, she married and moved to Monroe County, Georgia. Additional biographical information about Gladys Landrum has not been determined. No transcript exists for this recording. Professor John Burrison founded the Atlanta Folklore Archive Project in 1967 at Georgia State University. He trained undergraduates and graduate students enrolled in his folklore curriculum to conduct oral history interviews. Students interviewed men, women, and children of various demographics in Georgia and across the southeast on crafts, storytelling, music, religion, rural life, and traditions. As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information, which places us inaposition to choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, andbias isreflected in our descriptions, whichmay not convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materialsaccurately.Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment.We often re-use language used by the former owners and creators, which provides context but also includes bias and prejudices of the time it was created.Additionally,our work to use reparative languagewhereLibrary of Congress subject termsareinaccurate and obsolete isongoing. Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or description please let us know by emailingreference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.