I've been the first in a whole lot of things.
When I went there (Brown-Forman) to work I was the fourth woman. I came to do my job. I said, "Here I am." So I didn’t have any problems.
And I haven't changed.
I've been the first in a whole lot of things.
When I went there (Brown-Forman) to work I was the fourth woman. I came to do my job. I said, "Here I am." So I didn’t have any problems.
And I haven't changed.
I graduated here from Nazareth (now Spalding University) in 1953 with a degree in chemistry and math. I was the third African American to graduate from Nazareth College and for them to sit down and honor me I think is something. It tells African American students that they can succeed, but they have to push themselves. Nothing is given to you.
I graduated here from Nazareth (now Spalding University) in 1953 with a degree in chemistry and math. I was the third African American to graduate from Nazareth College and for them to sit down and honor me I think is something. It tells African American students that they can succeed, but they have to push themselves. Nothing is given to you.
I got involved in art because of my son. He graduated from Western High School. I was having trouble with my hands. They recommended that I take ceramics. I took my first ceramics class at Seneca High School from an art therapist. Then I took art classes at Louisville Metro Arts Center. I studied with Melvin Rowe and Laura Ross. They recommended that I take classes at UofL. I took my first class in 1981. And I’m still a student at UofL in ceramics.
I got involved in art because of my son. He graduated from Western High School. I was having trouble with my hands. They recommended that I take ceramics. I took my first ceramics class at Seneca High School from an art therapist. Then I took art classes at Louisville Metro Arts Center. I studied with Melvin Rowe and Laura Ross. They recommended that I take classes at UofL. I took my first class in 1981. And I’m still a student at UofL in ceramics.
The technique I use for fiber is a Japanese technique called shibori. Everything that I do starts on paper. When you talk about shibori you lay it out and then you stitch it.
The technique I use for fiber is a Japanese technique called shibori. Everything that I do starts on paper. When you talk about shibori you lay it out and then you stitch it.
If you’re an artist you have to go see other artists.
If you’re an artist you have to go see other artists.
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Elmer Lucille Allen became the first Black chemist to be hired at Brown-Forman in 1966. All words here are her own. In very select places a word here and there is edited for clarity.
Interview conducted with Elmer Lucile Allen and Dr. Deonte Hollowell (of Spalding University) on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at Spalding University. Interview was part of TARC's Black History Month celebration and took place ahead of Spalding's Seventh Annual Elmer Lucille Allen Conference. You can view video of the interview's here and here.
All photos taken on Kodak Tri-X 400. Developed and scanned by Midwest Film Co.
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Elmer Lucille Allen became the first Black chemist to be hired at Brown-Forman in 1966. All words here are her own. In very select places a word here and there is edited for clarity.
Interview conducted with Elmer Lucile Allen and Dr. Deonte Hollowell (of Spalding University) on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at Spalding University. Interview was part of TARC's Black History Month celebration and took place ahead of Spalding's Seventh Annual Elmer Lucille Allen Conference. You can view video of the interview's here and here.
All photos taken on Kodak Tri-X 400. Developed and scanned by Midwest Film Co.