By Kamirre Johnson
The First African American Graduate of Hall High School, Mrs. Gertrude Blanks was a Historian, as well as a well-known Storyteller here in Connecticut. Mrs. Blanks was employed by The Hartford Public Library. Although she worked at the Library, there could not have been a better time for Children in the community to soak up all the heartfelt sincerity when it came to Story time. As a Librarian Assistant already in her element of books and words it was her Narration that propelled her into being The Highly Sought-After Storyteller. With so many fond memories of this great woman, the library was not the only place she told her fascinating stories. She would also visit laundromats, nursing homes and museums with her crafts.
Could you believe that Mrs. Blanks Served the community in her story telling for Eight Decades? So in all actuality, she was an important part of most our education and families for at least three generations! Even after retiring after twenty-five years she continued by volunteering. Was she not only a storyteller, she also spread her horizon into becoming an actress in 1969 in a performance for the NAACP in an all-black cast called “A Hand Is On The Gate” and several other theatre acts in downtown Hartford. Her first job was cited a gift wrapper at G.FOX. Back in those days of the 1940’s she’d shop downtown also at the 10cent store. Of course throughout her early years, Mrs. Blanks did encounter issues of racism, but she didn’t let that dampen her bubbly spirit. She simply said “if anyone did not like her, she would stay away from them & if anyone liked her she would let them come to her. Through her life span she was to witness Dr. Martin Luther King’s march; Thirman Milner take office as first African American Mayor & Carrie Saxon Perry as the first African American woman to take office as mayor right after Milner in 1987. Many changes took place with each new year, decade, century.
It was the way she made the stories come alive for me! Her Insatiable love for children and storytelling would awaken all of your senses, you could hear the wind blow or see the beautiful butterflies and if you’d just lean in a little bit more, you’d become a part of the story, and awakened a character. She’d often tell the adults to “move out of her way; she’s going to the children.” Her excitement helped to develop the imagination of those who listened. Even to this day the lives she’s touched are still singing her praises and a reason for their new love for reading.
Mrs. Gertrude Blanks Legacy has been accoladed as a Living Legend having been featured in the New York Times Magazine, A Rocking Chair being memorialized for her in The Main Hartford Library Branch. This woman has reached pentacles in her community efforts and her works will never go forgotten. Mrs. Blanks left us in January 2019. May her contributions to everyone she came into contact with live on.
Rest Well Mrs. Gertrude Blanks
Information about this story was cited from Hartford.info, The Northend Agent’s & The Hartford Courant.
