This sweatshirt is a special piece of fashion history. Its original owner was Beryl Hannon Dade. She was one of the two first Black female students to enroll at Ohio University in 1950. She competed on her university’s swim and field hockey teams. She became part of the Flying “O” Club by participating in seven sports seasons and maintaining a particular grade point average. She continued her education by attaining her master’s degree went on to become one of the first Black teachers in Montclair, NJ. She was an educator for 37 years and an active member of her community—a passionate League of Women Voters member, the director of a YMCA after-school program, and a board member of the Liberty Science Center. Even after her retirement and return to her childhood home of Tryon, NC, she was an active volunteer and participant in countless community enrichment organizations. In Mrs. Dade’s honor, the proceeds from the sale of this sweatshirt will be donated to the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE): “Founded in 1970, NABSE is dedicated to improving both the educational experiences and accomplishments of African American youth through the development and use of instructional and motivational methods that increase levels of inspiration, attendance and overall achievement.”

ERA: 1950s (1954)
LABEL: Akom Pep-Shirt
FITS LIKE: M/L
TAG SIZE: M (38-40)
MATERIAL: not listed, feels like cotton

MEASUREMENTS:
Length: 24.75”
Sleeve length: roughly 22.5” (no shoulder seam)
Bust: 46” (unstretched)
Waist: 32" (unstretched)

DETAILS:

• crew neckline

• raglan sleeve

• wool patches: Flying “O” and RWA 1954

CARE: Gently hand wash or spot treat

CONDITION: Good condition— some small spots, and some color bleed on and around patches from hand washing. A small spot of wool is missing from the Flying “O” patch.