Welcome back to The Quest Continues, your one-stop shop for Black History Quest updates! It’s Mariah, your host and fellow Pionerd, here to offer an overview of the last episode, some fun updates, and a look at what comes next.
Black History Quest: The Vanport Tenants’ League
May’s episode featured Greta Smith Wisnewski, the Programs Manager of Vanport Mosaic. Though short-lived, Vanport would have a profound impact here in Oregon.
In this episode, Greta revealed the incredible efforts of an interracial, community-led organization in Vanport: the Vanport Tenants’ League. Before the flood, they successfully advocated for the Vanport Hospital to stay open and for fair rent adjustments within Vanport.
Following the flood, they sprang into action: at the first mass meeting after the disaster, more than a thousand refugees from Vanport City gathered and helped draft resolutions that the VTL presented to the city council in 1948. Though we don’t know what happened beyond that, it is important to recognize the ways Vanport community members would continue to bond together even after their community was destroyed. Check out the episode for more details about their efforts and a look at some of the people involved.
We asked Greta where this research could go next and she had plenty to say:
There’s still so much to uncover about the Vanport Tenants’ League, and the broader story of how everyday people organized and fought for their rights as tenants even before they lost their homes in the flood. These are just a few of the paths further research could take:
- Digging into the organizations that preceded the Vanport Tenants’ League, particularly the Vanport Interracial Committee. Did the Interracial Committee transform into the Tenants’ League?
- Following the money trail. After the flood, citizens in Greenwood, Mississippi, organized a fundraiser to support Vanport flood victims (the Greenville, Miss., Relief Fund for Vanport) in gratitude for past aid they had received from the Pacific Northwest. A committee of former Vanport residents was formed to administer the $2500. I’d like to find out what became of that money—where it went and how it was used.
- Tracing the legal aftermath of the flood. Survivors attempted to get relief through the courts, filing multiple lawsuits against the Housing Authority of Portland. Those cases were dismissed under Oregon’s sovereign immunity law. More than 700 claims were also filed against the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act, but the federal government was shielded by laws exempting it from liability for flood damage. I’d like to look more closely at this litigation, especially the caseClark v. United States, which was filed on October 23, 1952. Who were the people involved and what did their fight for accountability look like? Is there an avenue for a suit here today so Survivors and Descendants might be able to finally hold responsible parties to account?
Beyond BHQ, Greta has also recently compiled research about one of the women who originally organized Oregon Black Pioneers: Jackie Winters. Check out this great online exhibit telling her story!
Connecting the Dots
Are you following us on Instagram or Facebook? You might’ve recently seen our Snap Shot about John Mathews, an early Black pioneer of Southern Oregon. OG Pionerds will remember John from an early BHQ episode, but if you haven’t seen it, it’s a great way to learn more.
Coming Soon
This July, we will feature Christopher Melton, the Executive Director of the North Lincoln County Historical Museum. For years, NLCHM has had a quilt in its archive, with only a couple of index cards hinting at its history. All that was known was that Zilla, a Black woman, created the quilt in the late 1800s. For this episode, Christopher will take us behind the scenes as a museum professional and share what he’s uncovered about Zilla and her story.
Make sure to join us live on Wednesday, July 30th at 7:00 PM on Facebook or YouTube to learn more about this new research!
Want even more?
If you have stories or insights to share about anything featured on Black History Quest, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with us!
Want to be a future history investigator? Send an email to hello@oregonblackpioneers.org!
Itching for more of these stories? Check out our previous episodes of Black History Quest on YouTube.
Signing off,
