Interview, Hazel Jeffries

Hazel Jeffries (b. 1933) was born in Washington, D.C. She graduated from Virginia State College in 1956 with a degree in health and physical education. After working for the Booker T. Washington Community Center in Auburn, New York, Jeffries moved to Rochester in 1959. She had several different jobs at the Baden Street Settlement, the Lewis Street Center, the Board for Fundamental Education, and the Rochester City School District. She also held a position as an Associate Professor at Monroe Community College. Jeffries has been involved in a variety of community organizations such as the Church of God and Saints of Christ, the Urban League, the Landmark Society, the United Church Ministries, and Action for a Better Community.

In this interview, Jeffries describes her experiences with segregation in Washington, D.C., and around the country. She discusses what she sees as the most pressing problems for Rochester’s black community, including teenage pregnancy, lack of education, and a broken welfare system.