Hazel Hainsworth Young and Robert W. Hainsworth Papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS 0031
Content Description
This collection documents the personal and professional activities of siblings Hazel Hainsworth Young and Robert Hainsworth from the 1900s to 1997. It contains materials on the Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority started by Hazel and legal materials and supreme court cases handled by Robert. Materials are largely textual, comprising newspaper clippings, awards, newsletter, correspondence, newsletters, and related printed matter. Photographs are mostly of the Hainsworth family members with some depicting their involvement in local organizations. Of note are a scrapbook of Houston landmarks and early, undated drawings created by Samuel A. Countee.
Dates
- 1900s-1997
Creator
- Hainsworth Young, Hazel, 1905-2009 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish or reproduce materials from Hazel Hainsworth Young and Robert W. Hainsworth Papers must be obtained from the African American Library at the Gregory School or the appropriate copyright holder.
Biographical / Historical
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.
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.
Extent
2.75 Linear Feet (2 doc Boxes, 1 oversize box)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Collection is arranged in four series by personal name and material type.
Series
- Series I: Hazel Hainsworth Young, 1956-1997
- Series II: Robert Hainsworth, 1952-1981
- Series III: Photographs, 1920-1978
- Series VI: Drawings and Scrapbook
Custodial History
These records were formerly housed at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library as MSS 0451 Hazel Hainsworth Young and Robert W. Hainsworth Collection and were transferred to the African American
Library at the Gregory School, Houston Public Library in February 2019.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Hazel Hainsworth Young and Willie Lee Gay, 1992
- African American educators Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- African American families -- Texas -- Houston Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- African American lawyers Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter (Houston, T.X.)
- Countee, Samuel, 1909-
- Hainsworth Young, Hazel, 1905-2009
- Hainsworth, Robert W., 1909-1981
Creator
- Hainsworth Young, Hazel, 1905-2009 (Person)
- Hainsworth, Robert W., 1909-1981 (Person)
- Title
- MSS 0031 Hazel Hainsworth Young and Robert W. Hainsworth Papers
- Subtitle
- An Inventory of Records at the African American Library at the Gregory School, Houston Public Library
- Author
- Sheena Wilson
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Gregory School Repository
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