Thomas, Oscar John

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Bessie Aleda Hardaway Thomas was born and raised in Cameron, Texas. She graduated from Prairie View A & M in 1923. Following her graduation she taught homemaking at Cameron Colored School. Bessie Thomas and her husband Oscar John Thomas brought young women of color to Cameron and graciously housed them; permitting the women to complete high school and attend Prarie View A & M for college. In her later years Bessie Thomas worked as Principal for Prairie View Elementary School. Her community advocacy included organizing Cameron's Federated Women's Club, the Prairie View First Methodist Church (1972) and the local Girl Scouts troop.

From the guide to the O. J. and Bessie Thomas Collection MSS 16., 1894 to 1977, 1960 to 1969, (Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library)

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Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf O. J. and Bessie Thomas Collection MSS 16., 1894 to 1977, 1960 to 1969 Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Libary
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Federated Women's Club (Cameron, Tex.) corporateBody
associatedWith First Methodist Church (Prairie View, Tex.) corporateBody
associatedWith Girl Scouts of the United States of America corporateBody
associatedWith Prairie View A & M University corporateBody
associatedWith Prarie View Elementary School corporateBody
associatedWith Thomas, Bessie Aleda Hardaway person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Prairie View (Tex.)
Cameron (Tex.)
Subject
African Americans
Civic leaders
Occupation
Activity

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