Mrs. Susan King
SUSAN EMMALINE TAYLOR KING: I was born on July 13, 1924 in Kilmarnock, Virginia. During the Great Depression, my family moved to Baltimore, Maryland. At that time, Baltimore was considered to be the top of the South or the bottom of the North which means it was a racially segregated city. As a result, the public schools were segregated along with housing, stores, public accommodations and most other areas of life. I entered Frederick Douglass High School and graduated in 1942.
Six months after graduation, I became actively involved in World War II. I had heard that there were many jobs available for riveters – people who used drill-like tools to put together parts of planes. I went to riveting school, and then I was hired by Eastern Aircraft in Baltimore. I assembled the wings of planes flown during World War II. A supervisor would inspect my work with a magnifying glass to make sure that all of the parts were assembled correctly.
The workforce at Eastern Aircraft was completely integrated, and this was the first time I had ever been in an integrated setting. There seemed to have been a social or civil relationship between the black and the white workers. It was also the first time that I had ever been allowed to wear pants in public.
After the workday, I returned to my neighborhood and I attended church, went to movies, clubs and social activities. I went to the U.S.O. where soldiers came to dance and socialize. After 10 months at Eastern Aircraft, I entered college because I had a strong desire to help my community. I received my Bachelor of Science and my Masters Degrees from Morgan State University in Baltimore. I had a long and rewarding career in the Baltimore City Public School System as a science teacher and a guidance counselor.
I am the widow of the late Dr. John Wesley King who was a professor of biology at Morgan State University. I am the mother of two daughters, the older, Kibibi Ajanku, is the founder of the Sankofa Dance Theater and the younger, Camille Hinmon, is an educator in the Baltimore City Public School System. I am also the grandmother of seven and the great-grandmother of fifteen children.
I am essentially a ‘peace’ person. I consider all wars to be inhumane. The loss of lives is intolerable. We have superior intellects because we are human beings and we should use our intellect for peaceful endeavors. I am happy to be a member of the American Rosie the Riveter Association. I love to tell my story and I hope that I can inspire young people to do their best.