My father Douglas Phillips, Susan's son, told me that Walter and his wife Martha managed to provide all 10 of the 11 surviving children with an education. Walter ran a small grocery and both Walter and Martha were educated.
All of their children attended college. Since Rose attended the
Shaw Collegiate Institute, it is likely that the rest of family did too, but further research is needed to verify that. Some, like my grandmother Susan, and especially Rose Douglass went on to become educators. Martha performed in the only traveling group of black marionettist in the East and Midwest, with performances in Chicago.
My grandmother Susan, was an "elocutionist" or dramatic reader. She was invited to read at events and gatherings, having a great gift for storytelling. She also taught English, piano and voice, which influenced my father to become a jazz guitarists and singer when he wasn't working as a stained glass artist. See below Susan's brochure dated from 1921, a year before my father was born.
Front, back and inside of her brochure, with endorsements.
It gives me great pleasure to commend Mrs. S. Charlotte Phillips, dramatic reader and interpreter, to any who may desire an evening entertainment above the ordinary. Mrs. Phillips makes you smell the clover and hear the humming of the bees. You go with her to the cell of the Paro maniac, and weep with him. You laugh with the children. In fact you live in another sphere, while listening to the many selections varied in style, and reluctantly leave her at the final.
Yours Sincerely,
Mary B. Talbert
Hon. President of the national Association of Colored Women and Vice President of the N.A.A.C.P. Buffalo, N.Y. Nov. 19, 1921
