I Get It From My Mama

In honor of Black History Month I have decided to write about my mom.

Katherine Evelyn Octavia (ne Goudelock) Denson. She’s not famous but she is ground breaking. She was the first black bank teller in western Pennsylvania in 1963. Pittsburgh National Bank hired her because she had experience working as a teller in Washington DC and she looked like a movie star. She faced racism from many of the customers and had to prove herself everyday. People would come from as far away as West Virginia and Ohio to see this black bank teller. As if she were on display for her entertainment. There weren’t very many jobs available for black women in those days so it was a big deal. My mom was extremely intelligent. She wasn’t able to attend college. Her parents couldn’t afford it being one of 7 children. So mom graduated high school with 32 extra credits. She said she was getting her college educated for free. She spoke Latin, loved the English language and of course excelled at math. Eventually mom became the branch’s head teller and assistant manager, the only black woman to hold that position for over a decade.

We miss you. I think you would be proud of your legacy.

#blackhistorymonth #representationmatters #blackgirlmagic #fiercequeen