Rememberences and Recollections

Audrey DeLoach and the Society in the 1970s
Compiled by Amy Holloway

William E. “Bill” Coleman Says:

I met Audrey DeLoach in the mid 1970’s through the “The Society,” as we used to call it. I became aware of the Society through an advertisement in the San Francisco Chronicle’s “pink sheet” which listed social and cultural activities in San Francisco. A colleague encouraged me to join the organization and invited me to join her and a group of individuals who were forming the Publicity Committee. At the time, a few people had been meeting informally to organize the committee but wanted more people to make it formal. The initial group included Audrey DeLoach, Audrey Johnson, David Johnson, Claudia Woody (Van Blake) and me. A. Raiford (Ray) Daniels, Marjorie Holloway and Mary Forte (McFarland) later joined. It was in those meetings that the Society’s newsletter was created and later given its current name, the Praisesinger. Its current logo was also discovered during this time. It was found to be in the public domain and not copy written, so we adopted it. Overtime, the Publicity Committee members became friends and evolved into an informal social club, where we often planned parties, supported social and cultural events, including some sponsored by Society. One such event included a lecture with historian John Hope Franklin. Audrey was often the catalyst for many of these activities, hosting many parties at her home that included a multicultural guest list and lots of fun for those who attended.

Audrey Johnson of Philadelphia Says:

"I moved to the city in 1972 and became active [with the Society] almost immediately. I left [the city] in 1978 and ended activity with the Society." She sent a photo of herself and the Society logo she and other members established in the 1970s. (On this page.)

Mary Forte Says:

"I heard about the Society about 1974 when I started working in downtown San Francisco for Standard Oil.  I used to go to the Society after work and on weekends for events and to do committee work. I met Audrey [de Loache], Audrey Johnson, Bill Coleman, Dave Johnson, Ray Daniels, Claudia Simmons, and Eldoris Cameron, to name a few. I was on the Publicity Committee and the Praisesinger Committee. We were young professionals, making our way in our respective jobs and having fun too. There are so many good memories, for sure."

Amy Holloway Says:

Audrey de Loache was a cousin of my Mother's best friend Sandra. Though my Mother and Audrey met as adults, they always knew about each other. Audrey was a vital support for me growing up. Several of Audrey's Society friends were of my Mother or mentored me when I worked at the Society during the 1990s. When I applied to work as Society Librarian in 1992, Mary Forte recommended to Society Board President, Donneter Lane. Audrey Johnson and my Mother were high school friends; Bill Coleman a longtime friend of my cousin Dianne Doss. Audrey de Loache's friend, Marilyn Hayward, of the California Librarians Black Caucus helped me with library job opportunities and generously served on the Society's Librarians Advisory Board.

Editor: Though we are saddened by Ms deLoache’s passing, it has afforded the Society an opportunity to learn more about the pioneering Society members of the 1970s and their work on the Praisesinger newsletter and the Society logo. Those contributions are deeply appreciated as are fellow Society members. Thanks to Amy Holloway who collected these remembrances.