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Title
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Mrs. Gene Upshur Willis news clippings
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Description
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This collection of news clippings are about Upshur family achievements, including: Georgine Upshur and a Y.W.C.A. baby contest, her Philadelphia High School for Girls graduation and coming out parties, and passing of the state mortician’s exam circa 1949.
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Georgine Elizabeth Upshur-Willis (September 3, 1921-December 30, 1998) was born to William Arthur Upshur Jr. (January 8, 1984-May 5, 1963) and Agnes (née Chew) Upshur (1896-June 28, 1984). The Upshurs were a prominent, affluent African-American family with connections in Philadelphia politics, community, education, and culture.
The Y.W.C.A. Baby Contest articles highlights a “popularity baby contest under the auspices of the Girls’ Work and the industrial departments” at the Southwest Branch of the Y.W.C.A. Out of 7 contestants, Georgine Elizabeth Upshur placed highest with $53.50.
The next article “Debs Are Radiant In Philly Society” details Mr. and Mrs. Upshur’s reception and dance to introduce their “debutante daughter” Georgine, who carried red roses gifted by Marian Anderson. The event was held at O. V. Catto Hall. Many guests in attendance came from Philadelphia, but also from NJ, NY, Washington D.C., and Chicago. Betty Hinkson (November 5, 1922-December 15, 2022; fellow Philadelphia High School for Girls alumna), Gloria Truit, and Ada Davis were the entertainers.
“Mr. And Mrs. W. Upshur Entertain For Daughter” describes the “beautiful affair” thrown by Mr. and Mrs. Upshur celebrating Geogine and classmates graduation from Philadelphia High School for Girls, again held at O. V. Catto Hall. Hundreds of people were in attendance. She was a member of the Class of 1939 (Ancestry.com 2010).
“Passes Exam” is a brief paragraph celebrating Mrs. Gene Upshur Willis’ passing of the state morticians examination, and announcing that she will begin her career with “her father as a partner.” Her father ran a funeral home (“The William A. Upshur Funeral Home” at 21st and Christian Street) in addition to being a recording secretary for the Republican City Committee, republican leader of the 30th ward, a member of the NAACP and Urban League, and an active alumni member of the University of Pennsylvania (The Philadelphia Inquirer 1963). By this point, Gene was married to Dr. William Shedrick Willis Jr. (July 11, 1921-August 8, 1983). They were married in 1949 (The Library Company of Philadelphia 2025).
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Discover Mrs. Gene Upshur Willis’ family history as a descendant of the Stevens-Cogdell-Sanders-Venning family (see “Biography/History”)
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More on Dr. William Shedrick Willis Jr.’s impactful anti-racist work and life
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Rights
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This work is not in copyright, but commercial uses of this digital representation are limited. For more information, contact printroom@librarycompany.org and see http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-NC/1.0/
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Creator
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Willis, Georgine Upshur
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Format
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Text
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Language
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eng
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Spatial Coverage
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Philadelphia, PA
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Publisher
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The Library Company of Philadelphia
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Contributor
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The Library Company of Philadelphia
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Extent
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3 items
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Identifier
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P.2022.16.85-88
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Date Created
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(c. 1922-1939)
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Is Part Of
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Stevens-Cogdell/Sanders Venning Collection - Upshur Willis Collection_Georgine E. Upshur Willis collection_scsv-p-2022-16-85-88
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Subject
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Newspaper clippings
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University of Pennsylvania
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Marriage--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia--History
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Philadelphia
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Morticians
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Debutante balls--History
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African American women
Mrs. Gene Upshur Willis news clippings 