After the Fellowship

Mildred Blount named "Outstanding Woman of 1944" by the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

Mildred Blount is Voted Outstanding Woman of 1944

Los Angeles Tribune, Feb. 19 1945

"Zetas Name Mildred Blount Outstanding Woman of 1944," Pittsburg Courier, Feb. 17, 1945

Pittsburgh Courier, Feb. 17 1945

Letter from Blount to Mrs. Haygood, Nov. 10, 1944

Letter from Mildred Blount to Mr. and Mrs. Haygood, Nov. 10, 1944

In this 8-page letter to Mr. Haygood's spouse, Blount shares her pride over taking up her "first very big job on my own" (author's emphasis). The artist's perfectionism and the travails of everyday life, including a recent eviction notice, wear on her. However, Blount neither slowed her pace nor lost her determination. In the letter, she discusses offers for work that she turned down because they did not seem promising enough. In the winter after her Rosenwald fellowship, Blount is able to choose who she works with and for. This letter, then, represents a move toward autonomy and independent entrepeneurship for the "Milliner of the Stars."

Letter from Mildred Blount to Mr. Haygood, Dec. 17, 1946

Letter from Blount to Haygood
Letter from Blount to Haygood
Letter from Blount to Haygood
Letter from Blount to Haygood
Letter from Blount to Haygood
The committee often asked former fellows to recommend future applicants. In this letter, Blount makes her suggestions and also provides updates regarding her own work. At the time of writing, she hoped to make a trip to Paris in the near future; it is uncertain whether she ever made this trip. Blount also describes a news reel featuring her hats as well as her numerous speaking engagements for "many all white groups, where styles and race relations were carefully combined." The artist's everyday work includes using style to foster inter-racial understanding and to create opportunities for others. 

Articles detailing Blount's success

"Marian Anderson Builds a Wardrobe Around Hats," Los Angeles Tribune, Feb. 23, 1946

Los Angeles Tribune, Feb. 23, 1948

Mildred Blount, "Front and Center," Los Angeles Tribune, Saturday Dec. 14, 1946

Los Angeles Tribune, Saturday Dec. 14, 1946

Rosenwald Committee Record on Mildred Blount

Fellowship Report for Rosenwald Fund Records, Mildred Blount, c. 1940-1950

Post-fellowship report on Blount for Rosenwald Fund records

Rosenwald Committee Record on Mildred Blount

Another Rosenwald Committee Record on Blount, potentially connected to a fellowship renewal request

After the Fellowship