Iola Glenn oral history interview, May 21, 2025

Scope and content:

Dr. Tameka Hobbs interviews Iola Rebecca Daniels Glenn at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center on May 21, 2025. Glenn discusses her parents' origins and her maternal grandparents working on a plantation as enslaved people in Vienna, Georgia. She mentions that her paternal grandparents were Native Americans. Glenn recalls growing up in Ormond Beach, Florida as the first person in her immediate family of thirteen children to be born in Florida. She explains why the family moved from Georgia to Florida to support her aunt and her family, and how both families lived together in one house. She describes the work that her parents did growing up; her father doing yard work and hauling lumber from Bunnell to Ormond, and mother working as a maid taking care of families and their children. Glenn recalls attending Rigby Junior High School from first to eighth grade, then attending Campbell Street High School in Daytona Beach, Florida in ninth grade.

Glenn describes outdoor activities and the traditions of the May 20th Emancipation Day celebrations held at Rigby Junior High School and not knowing the significance of the day at the time. She recalls the games that were played and the school choir performing African American spirituals such as "Oh, Freedom". She describes the food and drink available at the celebrations, including hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, tea cakes, and a barrel of a strawberry flavored drink. Glenn describes participating in the gymnastics portion of the celebration, rehearsing the routines, and practicing platting the maypole, as well as the outfits the students wore. She recalls not having any May Day celebrations after leaving Rigby Junior High School. Glenn discusses her sister's involvement with the May Day celebrations in Lake City, Florida.

Glenn endorses continuing May Day celebrations and criticizes the behavior of younger generations in the Black community, and explains her belief that if they knew about their history that they would be prouder of their history and appreciate the progress of earlier generations. She advocates for a nuanced perspective of white people and describes the generosity her family received from neighbors when growing up. Lastly, Glenn recalls being raised to always look good and present a united front within the Black community.

Material specific details:

00:39:25 (39 minutes, 25 seconds)

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