Doris May, of Philadelphia, Jeanne Noble of Albany, Georgia and Rosalind Murray of Washington, D.C., attend the Dean’s Garden Party at Howard University in May 1946. This annual affair, hosted by Susie A. Elliott, Dean of Women, was held on the lawn facing the women’s dormitories for mothers of the graduates and alumni and friends of the university. The event was featured in the October 1946 edition of the Howard University Bulletin.
Carolyn Polk, “May Day Queen” of 1946 with her court as they appeared in the October 1946 edition of the Howard University Bulletin. According to the bulletin, May Day celebrations, staged by the Physical Department for women, were a “gigantic and beautiful spectacle in which students give exhibitions in dancing, singing and calisthenics.” The highlight was the crowning of the May Queen who reigned over the festivities with an alumnus serving as “Alma Mater.” The parade of beautifully gown women was proudly described in the bulletin as a “traditional march of beauty, movement and music.”
Todd Duncan, the pioneering opera singer, circa 1930s. Mr. Duncan was the first African-American to perform with a major opera company, the New York City Opera. Other career highlights include being selected by George Gershwin to originate the role of Porgy in “Porgy and Bess” and being the first person to record the now classic song, “Unchained Melody.” Mr. Duncan also held a master’s degree from Columbia University and taught voice at Howard University for over fifty years, well into his nineties. He died in 1998.
Argentine Dancers at Howard University, 1963
- by Scurlock Studio
An Argentine dancer instructing a group of women at Howard University in February 1963. Another gem from the Scurlock Studio.
- by Scurlock Studio
A woman playing the violin at Howard University School of Music, circa 1940s. Photo: Scurlock Studio.
A’Lelia Mae Perry (Bundles), great-granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker and daughter of Mae Walker, with her AKA sorors at Howard circa 1946. Ms. Perry is third from the right on the front row. Photo courtesy of her daughter, A’Lelia Bundles.
Howard University Graduating Class of 1900 on Flickr.
Howard University’s Class of 1900.
Howard University students photographed in their dorm by LIFE magazine’s Alfred Eisenstaedt for a November 1946 photo essay. See other Howard students here.
Howard University theater students photographed in 1946 by LIFE magazine photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt.
Howard University freshman Rose Esters, a history major, and Sarah White, a pre-med student. Another photo from Alfred Eisenstaedt’s 1946 LIFE magazine photo essay, these women were photographed in their Truth Hall dormitory room.
