Double Victory
Examining the Life of an African American World War II Soldier
Presented by Gaynell Brady of Our Mammys
About the Program
Gaynell Brady uses genealogy and oral history to delve into the life of a Louisiana African American soldier, Cary Clifford. Born on a plantation, he returned from World War II a changed man.
During World War II, more than 2.5 million African American men registered for the draft, and African American women volunteered in large numbers. Many were motivated by the Double V Campaign message that was printed in The Philadelphia Courier. One Louisiana African American soldier saw it as a way to elevate his family and escape sharecropping work on the plantation. In this presentation, Gaynell Brady, Owner/Educator of Our Mammy’s uses genealogy methods and oral history to delve deeply into the life of one Louisiana African American soldier. Cary Clifford was born on a plantation in Glynn, Louisiana. After fighting alongside thousands of enlisted men and officers in Europe, he returned home a changed man.
About the Presenter
Gaynell Brady is a local museum professional and historian who has served as a museum educator at Louisiana State Museum, National World War II Museum, and an interpretive park ranger for the National Park Service.
Gaynell Brady earned a BA in History and MA in Museum Studies from Southern University at New Orleans. Gaynell is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Capella University in Minneapolis, MN, working on her dissertation that includes teaching and interpreting slavery to students.
Gaynell’s passion for history and genealogy is expounded through her company Our Mammy’s, where she provides interactive history and genealogy lessons for children and families. She has spent the last seven years teaching and interpreting the lives of African Americans in Louisiana. Gaynell has lectured at cultural institutions, historical societies, libraries, and museum conferences.
When she is not teaching or researching, Gaynell is traveling Louisiana’s highways and byways and spending time with her family.
Links
- Gaynell’s Website, OurMammys.com