African American Labor and Community in New London, Connecticut: Oral History Interview with Jackie Massett

Authors

Jonathan Dayan, Connecticut College
Jackie Massett

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

Comments

Oral history conducted on April 4, 2025 as part of an honors paper in the Department of History. The paper may be found at https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/histhp/67/.

Part 1 of this interview can be found at https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/srp/3/.

Abstract

In this two-part oral history interview, Jackie Massett (b. 1946) reflects on African American Labor and community life in New London, Connecticut. Massett pays particular attention to Black employment at Connecticut College, the Griswold Hotel, and Norwich State Hospital examining the fields of domestic service, food service, and healthcare. Massett discusses family members and community figures she grew up with in the city and where they worked. Those mentioned include Carl Monroe, Maxine Monroe, and her aunts, Laura and Ida, who all worked in various roles at/involving Connecticut College and other employers in Southeastern Connecticut. The interview explores the role of institutions as major employers and the cohesion of the Black community of New London during the mid-20th century. Massett also discusses broader community life, including clubs and neighborhood connections. Massett describes the origins of her mother’s family in South Carolina and Florida, noting The Great Migration northward of her family during the early 20th century in search of better opportunities.

Recommended Citation

Dayan, Jonathan and Massett, Jackie, "African American Labor and Community in New London, Connecticut: Oral History Interview with Jackie Massett" (2025). Student Research and Publications. 4.
https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/srp/4