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Betty Kilby, A Family History

By Sharon Jarrett
Posted: 10/01/2024

The group had a presentation by Betty Kilby Baldwin.  Dr. Baldwin is the author of "Wit, Will and Walls" and the coauthor of "Cousins", with her cousin Phoebe Kilby. A recording of a talk by Betty and Phoebe regarding their book is available on the Village YouTube Channel. You can read about their presentation on our blog post – Cousins. This current talk was recorded and is also available on the Pasadena Village YouTube Channel.

Dr. Baldwin began her talk sharing her belief that "you cannot reject or change the past" but you can use the past to "educate, encourage and motivate".

Dr. Baldwin began discussing her book "Wit, Will and Walls" with the story of her father, James Wilson Kilby.  Her father was a tenant farmer in Virginia, as were his family members.  He completed the fourth grade and then left school to help his family.  As an adult, he was defrauded of twenty-four acres of land because of his poor literacy skills.  This made him determined that his children would be educated.

He tried to enroll his oldest sons in Warren County High School only to discover the school was segregated.  His sons attended an alternative school which was inferior and did not provide his sons with the education he believed they should have.  With greater determination, he approached a Civil Rights lawyer, Oliver V. Warren, about ensuring Betty Ann Kilby could attend Warren County High School.

In 1959, Betty Ann Kilby et al v. Warren County Board of Education was filed.  This led to an order to desegregate the Warren County schools.

Dr. Baldwin shared her high school experiences.  At the time she entered high school she was fourteen and received threats, taunts and was physically attacked in the school gym.  She recounts being fearful every day she attended and wanting to stop. But, her father encouraged her to finish high school which she did, becoming the first female in her family to graduate from high school.  

She had a desire to continue her education but was unsuccessful in being admitted to any college she applied to.  Sixteen years later, she was able to enter Shenandoah College. She ultimately completed a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree and received an Honorary Doctorate.

In spite of what she has achieved, she still recounts the fear she felt in high school saying "you don't die but, know what death feels like".

Dr. Baldwin shared that her father lived long enough to see each of his five children graduate from college.

Questions followed and are available on the meeting recording posted on the Village YouTube Channel.

Those present thanked Dr. Baldwin for her presentation.

The group will meet again on October 18, 2024 at 12:00 PM PST. At the presentation, Sharon Kyle and Dick Price will return to provide us with more insight about how a mixed-race couple is affected by the background of racism that we all experience. Sharon and Dick have presented before and their presentation is available at Dick and Sharon, Mixed Race Marriage. This will be particularly interesting in this election year, as Dick and Sharon compare their reactions to the news of the day.

These presentations are open and we welcome guests. For more information about how to get access to the meetings, contact our office by email or phone at: 626-765-6037