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Title
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Georgine E. Upshur [Willis], 1943 University of Pennsylvania Graduation
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Description
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This photograph features Mrs. Georgine "Gene" Elizabeth (née Upshur) Willis posing for her graduation from the University of Pennsylvania in 1943.
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Georgine “Gene” 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.
Gene graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1943 receiving a bachelor’s degree in the liberal arts (The Library Company of Philadelphia 2025). As noted in the Diary of the Women of the Class of 1943 (found on page 140 of the Georgine E. Upshur Willis collection), Gene lived at the time on 817 S. 21st Street, attended the College for Women, and was a member of both Delta Sigma Theta and Pi Gamma Mu. (The Library Company of Philadelphia 2025). She proceeded to become an undertaker following in her father’s footsteps, passing the state mortician’s exam in or around 1949 (The Library Company of Philadelphia 2025).
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See the entire Georgine E. Upshur Willis collection at The Library Company of Pennsylvania
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Map to Gene’s home during college at 817 S. 21st Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Contributor
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The Library Company of Philadelphia
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Date Created
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1943
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Creator
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Willis, Georgine Upshur
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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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Identifier
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P.2022.16.20
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Language
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eng
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Format
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Image
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Extent
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1 image
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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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Is Part Of
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Stevens-Cogdell/Sanders Venning Collection - Upshur Willis Collection_Georgine E. Upshur Willis collection_P.2022.16.20
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Subject
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University of Pennsylvania--Students
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Graduation gowns
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University of Pennsylvania
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Philadelphia
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Morticians
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Delta Sigma Theta
Georgine E. Upshur [Willis], 1943 University of Pennsylvania Graduation. 