Conservations with KC

The Topeka Board of Education minutes of May 7, 1942 state: "The matter of a swimming pool being accessible to the Mexican children during the summer playground season was discussed; that Mr. Hinman had been asked if they can swim at Ripley Park; that Harry Snyder, Park Commissioner, does not approve of their swimming with the white children. It was mentioned that the Mexican children will not swim in the same pool with the colored children. IT WAS THE CONSENSUS OF OPINION THAT THE BOARD WILL LEAVE THIS MATTER TO MR. SNYDER." (My emphasis) Although Topeka High was integrated as far as classroom study was concerned, there were no African-American teachers and the prom was not integrated until 1952! Nelda Shiver was elected to the Board in 1953 by 56 votes out of 24,000 cast. Well educated and the wife of an educator/administrator she was seen by the Board as a problem due to her belief in speaking out about the segregation/integration issue. She did not campaign on an integration platform although her son has stated she was a true believer in integration. Prior to the change of the Board in the next election there had been four members of the Board who would meet in the parking lot before the official meeting so that they could decide how they would vote on issues, thereby avoiding her input and opinions. Her family lived in Westboro and her son has also described the community's negative effect of him having a black friend visit the home.