1. Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years
Sarah L. Delany and A. Elizabeth Delany
with Amy Hill Hearth

2. Amy Hill Hearth journalist with the New York Times
Having Our Say was on the bestseller list for 105 weeks and sold more than 5 million copies
has also written best-selling oral history books about Native American women and Holocaust women
college degrees in Sociology and English

3. Sadie Delany
first black woman to teach in the New York city public schools
received a Master’s degree from Columbia Teacher’s College in 1925
paid her way through college by selling sweets at “Delany’s Delights”
died in 1999 at the age of 109

4. Bessie Delany
earned her degree in Dentistry from Columbia University in 1923
2nd black woman licensed to practice dentistry in New York City
known as “Dr. Bessie,” she is remembered for offering free children’s dental exams
died in 1995 at the age of 104

5. Oral History
historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge
historically, the use of “oral history” can be traced back to the Greek writer Herodotus, who used extensive oral reports in writing about the Persian Wars
revived as a practice in the 1940’s by Allan Nevins and colleagues at Columbia University
many historians consider oral history to be a valid means for preserving and transmitting history
detractors, however, claim that oral history can be flawed, as “history” is always being told through the point of view of the speaker

6. Having Our Say: An Oral History of 20th Century America
American History
Personal History
Post-Civil War South
race and reality
Harlem Renaissance
education
Depression/World Wars
family traditions
Turbulent 1960s
career choices
Contemporary Life
morals and beliefs

7. A Book with Four Voices
Amy Hill Hearth -- journalist who shapes the messages of the Delanys
Sadie Delany -- older of the two sisters; reserved and shy; a high school teacher
Bessie Delany -- younger of the two sisters; outspoken and feisty; dentist and activist
Sadie and Bessie -- times at which the two sisters’ stories are virtually identical; fused together by Hill Hearth