Price, Melva L., 1902-1996

Melva L. Price was raised in New York City and lived there until her death. After graduating from Hunter College in 1924, she went on to become a teacher in the New York City public schools, at the high school level. During her career as a teacher, Price would teach at P.S. 157, James Madison, Wadleigh, Theodore Roosevelt, Morris and New Dorp high schools. Her area of specialty was languages, including Latin. She retired from teaching in 1960 after 36 years of service.

Price had a large circle of friends, among whom were Juliette Derricotte, the George Schuyler family, Winifred (Willis) Speaks, Marian Anderson, and Paul Robeson. It was also common practice for her to maintain correspondence with a number of her former students. She was an active member in many local and national organizations, which included Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Kappa Alpha. Additionally, her social and community activities extended to the labor movement; for many years, Price was a representative for the Teacher's Union and Teachers Retirement Fund. As executive secretary for the Negro People's Committee to Aid Spanish Democracy, Price planned, coordinated and hosted several political awareness and fund raising functions for the group

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