Document 7: James Hubert to Margaret Sanger, 4 December 1930, Reel 33, Papers of Margaret Sanger, 1900-1966, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Document 7: James Hubert to Margaret Sanger, 4 December 1930, Reel 33, Papers of Margaret Sanger, 1900-1966, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Introduction

   This letter is a response to a letter from Sanger the day before that had asked Hubert, president of Harlem's Urban League, to review a list of prospective members for an Advisory Council for the new Harlem Branch clinic that had opened ten months earlier.[62] Hubert responded that Sanger's list was a good one and suggested a few additional persons for Sanger to consider if she wanted the Council to be "a little more representative of Harlem." Hubert's meaning is elusive; with the exception of Du Bois, the individuals on both lists have local Harlem addresses, although some persons were better known as national leaders. Attached to the letter is Sanger's original list with Hubert's checkmarks—noted as [X] on transcription below--indicating which individuals he recommended for the council. The majority of names on the list were those of doctors, including some of those most active in Harlem medical circles. All of the physicians except Dr. May Chinn were among those who had been given permanent staff positions at Harlem Hospital in 1929. The other people on Sanger's and Hubert's lists were social activists, clergy, and social service providers. See Document 10 for the letter of invitation Sanger wrote to prospective Advisory Council members.

[p. 1]

NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE, Inc.
FOR SOCIAL SERVICE AMONG NEGROES
202-6 WEST 136TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY

TELEPHONES: EDGECOMB 9600

9601

9602

[League Seal and under it the phrase "Not Alms But Opportunity"]

JAMES H. HUBERT

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

December 4, 1930

Mrs. Margaret Sanger
Birth Control Research Bureau
17 West 16th Street
New York City

Dear Mrs. Sanger:

   The list of names suggested for the Advisory Council seems a good one. I have checked those on the list who I think would be most helpful. If you wish the Council to be a little more representative of Harlem, it might be well to include a few other persons as for instance:

Dr. or Mrs. Ernest Alexander 234 W. 139th St.

Mrs. Gertrude McDougal Ayer, Assistant Principal, P.S. 90

Mrs. E. P. Roberts, 130 West 130th St.

Mrs. Edgar N. Parks, Dunbar Apartments, 2588 Seventh Avenue.

If at any time I can help in any way, please let me know.

Very Truly yours,

[Signed] James H. Hubert
Executive Director

JHH/M

[p. 2]

SUGGESTED POSSIBILITIES FOR
ADVISORY COUNCIL

   [X] Dr. Peter Marshall Murray, 2588-7th Ave., Pres., North Harlem Medical Ass'n

   [X] Dr. J.L. Wilson 216 W. 137 St., Pres. Manhattan Medical Association.

   [X] Dr. May Chinn, 44 Edgecombe Ave. (Physician)

   Mr. And Mrs. James Weldon Johnson, 187 W. 135 St.

   [X and handwritten A] Mrs. Bessie Bearden, 154 W. 131 St. (Newspaper Correspondent) [A]

   Mrs. Daisy Reed, W 130th St., N.Y. (Utopia Childrens House).

   [X and handwritten A] Dr. Wm Lloyd Imes, minister of Presbyterian Church, 206 W. 137th St.

   [X] Rev. Shelton Hale Bishop, 119 W. 135 St. (Record [Rector] St. Phillips Episcopal Church)

   [X] Mrs. Mabel Keaton, Exec Secty., N.Y. Tuberculosis and Health Association, 108 W. 136 Street.

   [X] Dr. Alonzo deG Smith, 237 W. 135 St. (Child Specialist)

   [X] Dr. Rudolph Fisher, 2816-Eighth Avenue, N.Y. (Writer, author, lecturer)

   [X and handwritten A] Dr. W.E. Burghardt DuBois, National Ass'n for Advancement of the Colored People.

   

   A. A handwritten "A" in the margin indicated that the person had accepted the invitation to join the Advisory Council.

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