The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum is currently exhibiting personal artifacts belonging to Ethel Payne, the pioneering journalist often called “The First Lady of the Black Press.” The collection, featured in the “We Make History” exhibit, includes a signature wide-brimmed hat, a 1964 Civil Rights Act signing pen, and a press pin from the 1955 Asian African Conference. According to acting curator Jennifer Sieck, these items document Payne’s career as the first Black American woman to serve as an international news correspondent, a role in which she challenged U.S. presidents and reported from over 30 countries.
Did You Know?
Ethel Payne’s collection includes one of the approximately 75 pens distributed by President Lyndon B. Johnson to mark the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The Significance of Payne’s Attire
Payne’s choice of headwear served as both a cultural statement and a professional identifier. Sieck notes that the pistachio-colored hat, adorned with velvet roses, violets, and glass grapes, functioned as a “crown” that resonated with African American traditions. Because her male peers typically removed their hats indoors, Payne’s decision to keep hers on allowed her to remain visually distinct in male-dominated press rooms, signaling her presence as a path-breaking figure in journalism.
Documenting a Legacy of Activism
The exhibit connects Payne’s international reporting to her long-term civil rights advocacy. Her career, which began in the 1940s alongside labor organizer A. Philip Randolph, spanned decades and included interviews with every U.S. president from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Ronald Reagan. By the end of her life, Payne had interviewed Nelson Mandela following his release from prison, a moment that cemented her role in linking civil rights struggles across global cultures.
Expert Insight:
By housing these objects in the Anacostia Community Museum, the Smithsonian places Payne’s individual narrative within the broader framework of American history. Her artifacts demonstrate how a journalist’s personal tools—a pen, a press pin, and a hat—can become historical markers of institutional change and social progress.
What May Happen Next
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the inclusion of Payne’s artifacts in the “We Make History” catalog suggests a growing institutional effort to broaden the scope of national historical records. Future exhibits may continue to emphasize the role of Black press correspondents in shaping public policy and international relations. Researchers and historians could potentially use these newly highlighted archives to provide further analysis on how Payne’s specific reporting influenced the political discourse regarding the Civil Rights Act and global human rights movements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ethel Payne?
Ethel Payne was a journalist known as “The First Lady of the Black Press” and the first Black American woman to work as an international news correspondent.
Where can the public view Payne’s artifacts?
Her hat, a press pin from the 1955 Asian African Conference, and a pen used to sign the Civil Rights Act of 1964 are currently on display at the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum.
What is the historical context of the pen on display?
The pen was one of approximately 75 pens gifted by President Lyndon B. Johnson to individuals recognized for their civil rights advocacy and civic engagement.
How do you think preserving the personal effects of journalists changes our understanding of major historical events?
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