Pittman, Portia Washington (1883-1978) to Alice J. Cutright Kaine
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05508.255.01 Author/Creator: Pittman, Portia Washington (1883-1978) Place Written: Tuskegee, Alabama Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 April 1940 Pagination: 4 p. ; 24 x 16.4 cm. Order a Copy
Washington writes to Kaine, a friend of her father's, about the ceremony issuing a commemorative stamp of her father, Booker T. Washington. Discusses the family members in attendance, and mentions that she "received the first sheet of stamps from Post Master General [James A.] Farley." She reminisces about his famous Atlanta Exposition speech, and how his success was due to prayer. She laments: "My people are not as grateful as yours - and many are trying to profit from my father's fame for selfish motives. This has hurt Tuskegee Institute." Written on Music Studio, Tuskegee Institute stationery.
Booker T. Washington founded the Tuskegee Institute in 1881. Kaine worked at the Institute during the 1890s, and developed close ties to the Washington family, including Washington's daughter Portia.
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