Tywanna Whorley: Testing, one, two, three, testing. Tywanna Whorley: Testing, one, two, three, testing. Tywanna Whorley: All right. The first thing I want to do is ask you what's your name? Mary Hinton: My name is Mary Hinton, Ms. Mary Hinton. Tywanna Whorley: How do you spell that? Mary Hinton: H-I-N-T-O-N, Mary Hinton. And my home's in Greenville, Georgia. I'm from Georgia. My home's from Greenville, Georgia. And I don't have no sister and no brother. I'm the only child my mother had when she was married. And I got a big family. I got a lot of uncles and aunties, and all of them down in Georgia. Tywanna Whorley: Okay, Greenville, Georgia? Mary Hinton: Right. My home's in Greenville, Georgia. Tywanna Whorley: Okay. Tell me a little bit about your mom. Mary Hinton: Well, she— And my mother, she's working the whole time. My mother passed away years ago. Tywanna Whorley: Do you remember when? Mary Hinton: I don't. It's just been too long. I can't remember things no more like I used to, darling. Tywanna Whorley: Okay. Mary Hinton: I've just been had so much ups and downs. I fell and broke my hip, I stayed over yonder, and had an operation in the old Hillman Hospital. Tywanna Whorley: Okay. Mary Hinton: I had operation there. And as you know, Hillman Hospital, that's been a long time. And they took me from Hillman Hospital to St. Vincent. Tywanna Whorley: St. Vincent? Mary Hinton: That's right, I had an operation at St. Vincent. Had three operations at St. Vincent. Hillman Hospital, and you know. And left there, and they took me to Lakeshore. And I stayed over at Lakeshore as long as how long it's taking those surgeries. Tywanna Whorley: Lakeshore? Mary Hinton: That's right. Taking those surgeries. I got the Meals on Wheels five days a week. Yeah. Tywanna Whorley: Oh, Meals on Wheels? Mary Hinton: That's right. That's been a long time. This is what I mean— I used to could remember things, but, Jesus, I done been through so much I can't remember things much like I did. But I thank God, I can now just tell something. My current condition— Tywanna Whorley: When were you born? Mary Hinton: Well, see, but I was born way back in November of '61. Tywanna Whorley: All right. '61, 80? Mary Hinton: That's right. '61 and 80. Tywanna Whorley: How old are you? Mary Hinton: Well, see, you look at me. How old is me? Tywanna Whorley: Uh-huh. Mary Hinton: You look at me. My birthday's never [indistinct 00:02:28] well, but I was 101. Tywanna Whorley: You were 101? Mary Hinton: Right. Tywanna Whorley: Right now, you're a 101? Mary Hinton: Right. Tywanna Whorley: Oh. Mary Hinton: That's right. You see, the Lord is good to me. Tywanna Whorley: Mm-hmm. Mary Hinton: See, He done brought me, don't everybody— My living is made. Tywanna Whorley: Now, tell me a little bit about your mom. Your mom was— Mary Hinton: My mother was named Ava Hinton. Tywanna Whorley: How do you spell Hinton? Mary Hinton: H-I— Ava Hinton. My— Ava Hinton. And my dad was named George Hinton. He was a carpenter. He raised me back then, years ago, people working, all the men building houses. But he was a carpenter. And my dad is gone, and my mother is gone, and I don't have no sisters and brother. I got a clan of uncles and aunties and cousins. And where, by all of them now, I don't know, and they don't know where I'm at. My home's in Greenville, Georgia. Tywanna Whorley: Tell me about growing up with your parents. Mary Hinton: Well, and my parents, growing up with parents— My parents really was good to me. I had a good family. Tywanna Whorley: Really? Mary Hinton: Yes, Lord. My mother was good to me, I was her baby. I was the only child she had. Tywanna Whorley: What are some of the things you used to do? Mary Hinton: Well, she used to live— I used to ride around. Having— a good time in my young days, you know. I went dancing, see? I can remember all that, having a good time in my young days. That's right. And I used to give [indistinct 00:04:31] but it takes me— I used to went, me and my friends used to do that, go to these dances, and dance those juniors. Literally, no home grown, we all did stuff like that. I might tell you about the [indistinct 00:04:43], I used to— And the next morning, we used to drink that [indistinct 00:04:48] liquor, I wouldn't be able to go to work the next morning. Mary Hinton: And be all lady-like and boys having a good time. And so we used to go out anytime, all to myself since I've been back here. It'd just come to me. Now you know the Lord is good to me. I can't think of nothing He can judging me and He's still judging me. They used to that [indistinct 00:06:05], but I had done some things, I don't have no reason to be. I was young and didn't know no better. I was with people, live and remember some things, having a good time, drinking those, and you can go home then, all the stuff like that. Tywanna Whorley: Hullabaloo? Did you say hullabaloo? Mary Hinton: No, go home with [indistinct 00:06:05]. And no beer and all stuff like that. But— And the next morning, I wouldn't be able to go to work. I worked for the other friend [indistinct 00:06:06]. They called me, said, "Mary—" I said, "I can't come to work today." Tywanna Whorley: What did you used to do for work? Mary Hinton: I used to take care of his children! Tywanna Whorley: Oh. Mary Hinton: And take care of the house. Tywanna Whorley: Okay. Mary Hinton: That was way back then, when people was working for $3! The wage was $2. Tywanna Whorley: $3? Mary Hinton: It was $2. Yeah, that's been a long time, what you talking about. Tywanna Whorley: I know. Mary Hinton: No, I worked for $2. I had been working for nothing. Going here and now, was working for nothing, different places. Tywanna Whorley: How many days did you work? Mary Hinton: Well, he was trying but— [indistinct 00:06:09] no money to go to Sunday school, go to work on Sunday. Tywanna Whorley: You had to work on Sunday? Mary Hinton: Right. Now that's right. I might tell you a secret there. I got working for $10, only nothing for a dollar, a dollar there, and a dollar maybe a week. Look, I worked for nothing. Wouldn't give me nothing. And he's got, you know—. But we also work, and still middle of work and all them things, and waiting for $2. Just working for $2. Just going here and there, working for $2 a week. Tywanna Whorley: A week? Mary Hinton: That's right. Tywanna Whorley: Oh, what were some of the jobs you were doing? Mary Hinton: Well, that's what I'm saying right now. When you see that washing with 10,000 kids, they know they're working an hour. Working for $2 a week. They're [indistinct 00:07:24]. Tywanna Whorley: How was the foreman that you worked for? Mary Hinton: Well, she used to have [indistinct 00:07:24], but they was working too, and I had to keep washing and take care of the children. Tywanna Whorley: Where they nice? Mary Hinton: Well, children nice, but Robert Edmond was White, sugar. And all of them were just crazy about me, when I get ready to leave, [indistinct 00:07:41], all of them just screaming and hollering, they don't want me to leave, they knew I was leaving. I gave them sugar and they might have— They called me mama. And honey, I might tell you something little. I got a good record amongst White folks. Mary Hinton: Robert Edmond, all them White people downtown, they know me. They said, "Mary Hinton, she's a fine Black woman." Bless my name. Robert Edmond and Mr. [indistinct 00:08:10], Mark Sayer, Jeffrey Hone. I got a good recommendation, baby. I can call a line there and stand in front of the company, mother is here and all the White folks, they know me. Listen, you can get the whole story from [indistinct 00:08:23] if you want to. I got a good record. I don't owe nobody nothing. Listen to me, miss, I got this paid for. It's been paid for. Tywanna Whorley: What was the name you said? What was the name of the guy you worked for? Mary Hinton: Robert Edmond. Tywanna Whorley: Okay. [indistinct 00:08:37]. Mary Hinton: Right. Robert Edmond and Mark Sayer. Tywanna Whorley: Mark Sayer. Mary Hinton: Yeah, and Jeffrey Hone. Rand Coleman Company. Tywanna Whorley: Rand Coleman Company? Mary Hinton: That's right. They went the Black color when making their— All them colored— Good— They know me. I worked for Richard. Claudette— I work there, big Black woman named Claudette. And I got to recognize everything I got to, these people, all the shoes and clothes. I got a paper. I got a book. I guess I get anything I want to, I ain't got nothing to [indistinct 00:09:18]. Look, I did what I want to. My living is made. I ain't been running around stealing. I worked for good White folk and I got a good recommendation. Mary Hinton: Now that's right, and I got money in the bank. Tywanna Whorley: Wow. Mary Hinton: Yes, wow. And that's right. I know who I got to be and I got a good recommendation. My doctor bill has been paid for years and got all my money in the bank. Now that's right. Tywanna Whorley: Can you tell me about moving here in Birmingham? How long have you lived in Birmingham— Mary Hinton: Well, no— Tywanna Whorley: —back then in the '50s? Mary Hinton: Well, see, used to [indistinct 00:09:54]. I've been here [indistinct 00:09:55]. You know they were good. They were good. They were great people. And I've loved Birmingham. Back, way back— I've loved Birmingham. Tywanna Whorley: Why? Tell me about it. Tell me about— Mary Hinton: Well, see, I'm just talking about the people was nice and good. Uh-huh. I'm talking about, Black folk and White folk, that's good. I just love them! I ain't going to tell you no story. And I loved them. Tywanna Whorley: Even back then? Back then in the '50s? Mary Hinton: And back then in the '50, you still got [indistinct 00:10:30] people's doing lines. But they done what— That's they business. I've been there, they'll do it there. That's they business. But they must be [indistinct 00:10:40]. That was they business. That's been in a long time, I didn't— [indistinct 00:10:45], I tell you. My friends, they do what they want to do. That was they business. I just [indistinct 00:10:54] they stayed out of trouble, baby. Tywanna Whorley: So you stayed out of trouble? Mary Hinton: Well, that's right. I see you [indistinct 00:11:02]. I ain't— I'm not going to worry. I've ain't been handed nothing but just a good recommendation and we'll see. And I got a good living. Tywanna Whorley: I don't know if you knew, but when did you go to school? Did you go to— Mary Hinton: [indistinct 00:11:19] I didn't— Baby, way back when, I went to middle school. Tywanna Whorley: Middle school? Mary Hinton: I didn't go to school long you know. Way back then I had this teacher name Mr. Greg William. That's a way back. Way back when. I was a student in that but— I didn't go to school enough to get an education like I want. But I working all the time. Now, that's right. Tywanna Whorley: What did you do, you went to work on— Mary Hinton: Well, see, I went to James Camping and Robert Edmond, and all the nights you're going here and now you're working for $2 a week. Just me and Lana, couldn't afford, but she's been really [indistinct 00:12:05]. Tywanna Whorley: In the summer? Mary Hinton: Right. Tywanna Whorley: Did you work in [indistinct 00:12:09]? Did you work for them? Mary Hinton: Well, see, you think I need that [indistinct 00:12:13]. There's no TV. I was wishing that we'd be [indistinct 00:12:16], just go here and there, you're working, and in my young days, me and my friends just laugh and have good time. Now, that's right. Just all of them, just through [indistinct 00:12:29] and pray heavy. And some, we'd go to these big dances. Tywanna Whorley: What were some of the dances? Mary Hinton: Well, they'll be near the [indistinct 00:12:45] playing and they would do [indistinct 00:12:46]. They're making their true [indistinct 00:12:48] and we'd leave there, were hungry. And we used to have songs that, I remember— Oh, band obviously. They come over band and let the good times roll, really. We used records and all that. And saying, "Oh, baby please don't go." And I was young, and I don't know, I feel I was young. We used to party, party, party. Like, way back in the day. Way back and dancing those juniors, wouldn't be able to go to work the next morning. Mrs. Edmond would call me, "Mary, you coming in to work? I know I see you tomorrow, young Mary." I said— And [indistinct 00:13:34] used to have this little rabbit and big old rooster. We'd usually buy them big old rooster and we'd feed it over. Baby, I tell you seriously, in my young days, I used to be a fine-looking lady. Tywanna Whorley: You were? Mary Hinton: Well, yeah, during my young days. I was big and fat and had them smoked out the book. And yet some of these [indistinct 00:13:40] back in my young days and my hair was like this are. Tywanna Whorley: Yeah, is that [indistinct 00:13:40]? Mary Hinton: Well, sure it was! I done had my fun. If I don't have no money, had [indistinct 00:13:40] in my younger days. Tywanna Whorley: Didn't get a lot new [indistinct 00:13:40]? Mary Hinton: No, that's right. I had some good times, me and him. They used to tell me, get me to be used to go and party and stuff. Baby, you have to let the good times roll. Tywanna Whorley: What did you use to [indistinct 00:14:43]? Mary Hinton: My home is in Greenville, Georgia. Tywanna Whorley: Mm-hmm. When— Mary Hinton: And I be like [indistinct 00:14:49]. And I [indistinct 00:14:53] Blacks then. And we used to go to different places, me and the girls and thing. And you'd [indistinct 00:15:00] and rock over to dances, and this little alley party, real big party. Tywanna Whorley: Where did you live when you moved to Birmingham? Mary Hinton: Said what? Tywanna Whorley: Where do you live when you moved to Birmingham? Mary Hinton: Oh, I've been living nice over in Smithfield. Tywanna Whorley: Smithfield? Mary Hinton: That's right. My mother owned a home in Smithfield, we are like a single women. Hey, be a little wary with the ward the way out. Tywanna Whorley: Okay. Mary Hinton: And we used pick cotton way back at the— I used to go with my grandmother, we all used to be in the field picking cotton. And— Tywanna Whorley: You used to pick cotton here? Mary Hinton: And I has asked him, "What are you doing in the field?" I didn't know what that was all about, you see. But I had a job working over in Atlanta, Georgia. It's a big deal hotel. Remember, that's been years ago. I've been living back, [indistinct 00:15:39] but they was picking nice cotton. Tywanna Whorley: Mm-hmm. Did you pick cotton in [indistinct 00:15:39]? Mary Hinton: No, I was working then. Columbus, Georgia, it's the hotel. Tywanna Whorley: [indistinct 00:15:39]? Mary Hinton: I worked at the Biltmore Hotel. [indistinct 00:15:39]. I used to work at Atlanta, Georgia. On 919 West Peach Street. That's right. That was the house number. Tywanna Whorley: Do you remember your grandparents? Mary Hinton: Well, sure. My grandpa's name, that was John— My grandparents was named George Hinton. And my mother was named Ava Hinton. And I have uncles and aunties and cousins. I have a uncle named John Hinton [indistinct 00:16:48]. And I had aunt named Leslie who was— I just had my auntie, Ava auntie. Ava Hinton. Tywanna Whorley: What about— Mary Hinton: And— What did you say? Tywanna Whorley: Do you remember picking cotton with your grandparents? Mary Hinton: Well, sure, I had been there. I used to be there and stay with them. But they [indistinct 00:17:18] picking, pick cotton, baby. They'd go down to these cotton and I used to— I was working in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Biltmore Hotel. And I used to be [indistinct 00:17:32]. I didn't know what it was, just picking those red little beans, and picking cotton. Tywanna Whorley: Why did they say why you were picking? Mary Hinton: That's what [indistinct 00:17:52] couldn't be nothing there. Tywanna Whorley: Do you remember the house that you stayed in? Mary Hinton: Well see, I tell you. Well, back then, we used to take rides and [indistinct 00:17:59]. We'd cook on a little fireplace, my granddaddy used to cook [indistinct 00:18:05]. Tywanna Whorley: [indistinct 00:18:07] what? Mary Hinton: [indistinct 00:18:08]. Make cold fire on the fireplace, one will stay all night and do all of that. It took a nice big bread and we used to watch it. We used to it. And used to tote wood, dry wood, tall wood and throw in to his bike, and bring it [indistinct 00:18:26] in the house and make me a very big coal fire. That was way back when. And used to get hail rain. Tywanna Whorley: Yeah, hail? Mary Hinton: Hail storm. [indistinct 00:18:38] say. And my granddaddy used to cook me the iced tea, break your icy bag and put the bread down there. I went there. And that was the best bread. They'd cook a rice cake and wash it, they used to stick bread in there and I eat it and grind this, that's a good flour. Woo! I remember, now, all of that. And he was kind of a— I used to [indistinct 00:19:10] color blue, no. That's right. My grandfather used to go and he'll call me [indistinct 00:19:23] my granddaughter, just to discuss my granddaughter named Jane Bug. Tywanna Whorley: You remember the birth? Mary Hinton: That's right. And my dad was named John. John Hinton Bug. [indistinct 00:19:50] he named it. Actually maybe he didn't. [indistinct 00:19:50] get all them little kids in, remember, people used to ride and stop it. Do you remember that? All right. I used to pay the for racking my own stocking. All stuff like that. Baby, let me tell you about [indistinct 00:19:59]. I thank the Lord and I can't remember usually— I can't remember like I used to, and think like I used to, sugar. See, my condition not better, you know. I lost my mama. I lost my [indistinct 00:20:01] baby. This baby— And my aunt will say, "I just behave." They probably know me. But I thank God and what it is. He done built me. How old am I, [indistinct 00:20:30]? Hillman Hospital, take me from here to a hospital to Lakeshore. Tywanna Whorley: Lakeshore? Mary Hinton: Yes. I still remember Lakeshore. I don't how long, take a little surgery. They used to bring me along the field. I've been living on Smithfield from a man named Mr. Smith. Remember, my neighbors, you know. And don't nobody live there. I've been through this, but you know the Lord is good to me. I can't thank Him enough, what he have done for me and what he's still done for me. He give me a good home and give me a good living too. I got a good deal with my— Didn't nobody build this. I got a good living. And I thank Him for that. Tywanna Whorley: Do you remember back when you used to— When you went [indistinct 00:21:39] used to go out and [indistinct 00:21:39]? Mary Hinton: [indistinct 00:21:39] I can just remember all of that. And it comes on my mind now, I just— Tywanna Whorley: Do you still live in Birmingham? Living in Birmingham? Mary Hinton: Oh, no. I was living in Greenville, Georgia. My home is in Greenville, Georgia. Tywanna Whorley: When did you come here to Birmingham? Mary Hinton: Well see, you see I come here in Birmingham way back then, but remember— In the whole of [indistinct 00:22:05], when you see the bow row. I was living in there. We have to leave, pack up and leave Georgia and come here. Tywanna Whorley: Why? Mary Hinton: Well, I'm just [indistinct 00:22:26]. I like to live here, I've been living with peace here. I've lived with peace here in the Birmingham. And they had that boat out [indistinct 00:23:21] and find somewhere to go. Tywanna Whorley: [indistinct 00:23:21] each other? Mary Hinton: Well, I used to [indistinct 00:23:21]. I tell you in my day, they had probably find out somewhere to go. Now, that's right. And here's the people that— They have to find somewhere to go. Tywanna Whorley: So why didn't you take the [indistinct 00:23:23] with you? Mary Hinton: Well see, here's the thing. I didn't remember the other two [indistinct 00:23:23] but when I heard that it happened— [indistinct 00:23:23]. I come put my application in from here. That's a long time ago. And I like my home here, I love it. I got a good home here and have a big thank you. I love this robust, big roof here, and all of the [indistinct 00:23:38]. We got a good home. I'm coming out loud, I'll ring everybody. I got a good home in here, in the favor of [indistinct 00:23:47]. Tywanna Whorley: That everybody is with you, did you say you used to work the [indistinct 00:23:55] Mary Hinton: Well, sure— Tywanna Whorley: Did you like to see the White people down there? Mary Hinton: Well sure I did. Hey hey, but trust me, I've been here. They have been here and told me— All three of my people said to me that, "We've got home. You can come and with us at [indistinct 00:24:14]. You've got a home here." Baby, might tell you, since I got a good recommend, I stay behind the [indistinct 00:24:23]. It's nobody but me. I got a good recommendation amongst White folk and I got as good living there. Oh my goodness, better taken care for this month. And I got a good recommendation, if I want something, I got to [indistinct 00:24:50] but mostly I'm getting home, bank comes or something. I got a good recommendation. And this been the best, they've been paid for for years. I ain't got no bill. I ain't got no bill. Tywanna Whorley: Mm-hmm. [indistinct 00:25:02]. Mary Hinton: I'm not paying electricity bill. I'm going to tell you what I'm talking about. Come on.