Interview of Evelyn Braxton by Stanley Grizzle
Dublin Core
Title
Interview of Evelyn Braxton by Stanley Grizzle
Subject
The Ladies' Auxiliary of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters
Description
As Black families arrived in Montreal seeking stability they had been denied elsewhere, the city’s developing community networks became an additional pull factor. Evelyn Braxton’s memories of the Ladies’ Auxiliary hosting cultural gatherings, long-running Mother’s Day teas, and uplifting social events show how these programs created supportive spaces that welcomed newcomers who had been pushed away from homes where they lacked community. This helped in making Montreal not only a destination for work but also a place where Black families could build meaningful relationships, find emotional grounding, and participate in traditions that strengthened their sense of belonging in everyday life.
Creator
Stanley Grizzle
Source
Clarence Nathaniel Este, Joseph Morris Sealy, Evelyn Braxton, and Velma Iris Coward King, interview by Stanley Grizzle, 1987, Stanley G. Grizzle fonds, 417386, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Publisher
Library and Archives Canada
Date
1987
Contributor
Library and Archives Canada
Rights
Library and Archives Canada
Format
MP3
Type
Video and Sound
Sound Item Type Metadata
Transcription
Stanley: Braxton is gonna continue now with discussing the program of the Ladies’ Auxiliary.
Evelyn: Yes. One of the- many of the programs that we had was an uplift for the Blacks in the community. It was one of culture. And, uh, one, our program that brought out many of the mothers, we honoured every Mother's Day. We carried on our Mother's Day Tea for a great many years. And we passed it on to the hostesses of Union Church, when we no longer had the amount of members to continue in the way that we would like to have the Mother's Day go on. And on May the 10th, 1964, where we honoured, the first mother that we honoured was Mrs. Medgar Evers in absentia as the most courageous Negro mother of the year. While the darker races around the world are claiming for respect and economic freedom, especially those of African descent in North America. In the fight for equality and justice, we have some outstanding leaders who have had to make the supreme sacrifice for the cause I mentioned.
Evelyn: Yes. One of the- many of the programs that we had was an uplift for the Blacks in the community. It was one of culture. And, uh, one, our program that brought out many of the mothers, we honoured every Mother's Day. We carried on our Mother's Day Tea for a great many years. And we passed it on to the hostesses of Union Church, when we no longer had the amount of members to continue in the way that we would like to have the Mother's Day go on. And on May the 10th, 1964, where we honoured, the first mother that we honoured was Mrs. Medgar Evers in absentia as the most courageous Negro mother of the year. While the darker races around the world are claiming for respect and economic freedom, especially those of African descent in North America. In the fight for equality and justice, we have some outstanding leaders who have had to make the supreme sacrifice for the cause I mentioned.
Duration
2:45
Files
Citation
Stanley Grizzle, “Interview of Evelyn Braxton by Stanley Grizzle,” Black Canadian History Exhibit, accessed December 5, 2025, http://omeka.uottawa.ca/mathieu-black-canadian-history-exhibit/items/show/37.