In the depression and into the 1940’s various Work Progress Administration (WPA) projects were activated by the federal government to put people to work. There were new roads built, state park improvements, sewing rooms, etc. One of those projects was an authorship in which local authors documented local housing, recreation, businesses, churches, etc. One of those projects was the Illinois Writers Project based out of Chicago. I ran across a series of articles written in 1941 specifically about the black community of Marion under the general heading of “The Negro in Illinois.” I present these articles just as written in 1941.

The Sewing Room W.P.A., by Beulah DeVard

The sewing room is located up stairs over Brown’s Business College (then at 209 N. Van Buren St.). Between forty and fifty women are employed at present only four of whom are colored. Their names are: 1. Bertha Powell, 2. Mary Sanders, 3. Daisy Martin and one other. The sewing room has been improved considerably during the past year. Electric power machines are replacing the foot power. Special machines for buttons and button holes have been installed.  

Consultant: Vertie Robison

Household Aid W.P.A., by Beulah DeVard

The center is located in a dwelling house at 604 N Court St. The center is well equipped and practical lessons in housekeeping and care of the sick are taught. This has been a large project of over one hundred workers but now there are only eleven white women and one colored. Her name is Cleo Allen.

Consultant: Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Barrnett

(Source: Downloaded from the Chicago Public Library)