Hazel Hainsworth Young and Robert W. Hainsworth Papers

Siblings Hazel Hainsworth Young and Robert Hainsworth were long time Houston residents who were active in education and law in Houston during the twentieth century.

Hazel Hainsworth Young was born on September 12, 1905 in Navasota, Texas to Harry and Beatrice Hainsworth. In 1910, she and her family moved to Houston when her father worked first for the Stowers Furniture Company and later became a mail carrier. She attended Bruce Elementary and graduated from “Old Colored High,” which subsequently became known as Booker T. Washington High School, in 1920. She graduated from Howard University in 1925 and began teaching Latin at Jack Yates High School the following year. She transferred to Wheatley High School during integration efforts during the 1950s. She retired from H.I.S.D in 1972. Hazel founded Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, which is the oldest graduate chapter of in the Houston Area, in 1928.

Robert Hainsworth was one of the first Black attorney’s licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Courts. He practiced law in Houston for over thirty years. After witnessing the discrimination Houston Lawyers faced, he founded the Houston Lawyers Association. He was a trustee to Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and served as longtime legal counsel. Robert was born May 4, 1909 in Navasota Texas and attended the public Schools in Houston. Robert received a bachelors degree and a law degree from Howard University. After college he joined the U.S. Army and was commissioned Lieutenant and was ultimately achieved the rank of Colonel.