Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family

May Elizabeth Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, May 5, 1926

Clothing and fashion | Education--school-related activities | Education--studying | Place--Richmond, VA

May Yancey discusses with her mother, Harriet, the clothes she needs for graduation. She is preparing for her final exams.

5/5/26

My darling Mother,

I recd. money for board and many thanks also money for my shoes many, many thanks I say shoes because I went and got them today and as you know I have to pay an awful lot for my shoes I payed $8.00 for them and I only had two $2.00 left so I could not get hat I was not aiming to pay over $2.50 for my hat but we are having our exhibition Friday and my dress is being placed on exhibition So I had to get some expensive ribbon to go around the waist of it is Gold ribbon & Gold peocock misspelled aroud the neck & sleeves. I have taken my exams and passed in all but one & that was mathematics I passed in it on daily but failed in test. I have four weeks to make that up so please pray for

(page 2)

II

?for? me please and I am praying also I made Good in Physics and negro History. I made A and rcd. a daily mark A in History. I think I shall spelicize in history As I made good marks in it. I am studying Math real hard as I have just got to pass when my name has already been posted on the graduating list. so please pray for me.

My shoes are very nice black satin slippers I had my picture made today for class. And what do you suppose the photographer ask me would I come over to Richmond and pose in his Studio for him I was shock he ask several other girls also. of course I am not letting that flatter me but I think my pose was good that is why he ask me, however, I did not look bad ha. ha, but I dont know how my picture will turn out if it be good I would like to get a large one, but I guess not as I am not able, but

(page 3)

III

these will be on a large picture and I am going to have it framed in a silver frame it is or rather our whole class will be on it. Well the time is drawing nearer and nearer and I hope & pray I shall be in that number. I must write to Alta and I am sorry you had that accident as she has to send the letter to the supt. but I hope it will be ok. I recd. a long sweet letter from Bee I certainly enjoyed it and tell her I shall answer real soon. Love to everybody & I am glad you dont have to bother with my shoes. I am glad Roger is doing nicely in his subjects. Our commencement exercises will be on the 8th of June I shall send my invitations out soon. Roger is doing them for me as we are having them done individually this year as some want them & some donot. we are having beautiful weather, I shall want my graduating stockings about the last of this month, mother you

(page 4)

IV

are a dear to me. I havenot wanted for a thing this year but what I did not get it. and that means much to have a dear, dear mother like you. I shall certainly repay you if it is the will of the Lord. Love to every one and please excuse this paper as I am entirely out of paper. I went to the City & got my shoes this afternoon at 4 o'clock so I am tired out. Say listen mother I shall get my hat when you can spare about $3.00 but dont send it next week as you have pd. so much out these 2 weeks. Sometime wk. after next will be ok. as I dont leave here until the 12th of June but shoes were more important that hat. Sorry I could not get both. I hope you will get rested dont do too much mother dear. The Amt. you raised was splendid. I did not know you could beg so ha, ha, Mother send me some names I showed include in my list for Graduation

(page 5)

Love to every one & hope to see them soon please pray for me in my final exams.

Your d.
May.

Published by: Virginia Center for Digital History

Source copy consulted: Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family (MSS 11599), Alderman Library, University of Virginia

Text and images (c) copyright 2001, by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia

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