Nina Bethune scrapbook, 1943 - 1966

File — Box: 15

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This scrapbook album belonged to Nina Bethune, chronicling highlights from her service in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) during WWII, as well as post-war travel and other activities in which she and her husband participated.

The scrapbook, which is not arranged in chronological order, contains many photographs of Black people presumed to be Nina and her family and friends; greeting cards from family and friends sent to Nina during her time in the WAC; a valentine from Nina's husband Arte congratulating her on her promotion in the WAC; newsletters and news clippings associated with the WAC; photos from Miles College and Howard University; invitations from historically Black Greek societies; travel photos, postcards, and other souvenirs from around the United States; church programs; and photos and ephemera associated with Brighton High School in Birmingham, AL in the mid-1960s.

Dates

Creation: 1943 - 1966

Creator

Bethune, Nina (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Biographical / Historical

Nina Mae Jones, born in Bessemer, AL on August 31, 1920, was the daughter of John H. Jones and Bessie Cox. She married Robert Arte Bethune in Birmingham, AL in February 1942, and passed away in July 1978.

She was a college-educated teacher who enlisted in the Women's Army Corps in December 1942.

Source: 1. 14 February 1942 marriage record for Robert Arte Bethune and Nina Mae Jones. Ancestry.com. Alabama, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1805-1967.

2. Nina Jones Bethune. National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, MO, USA; Applications for Headstones and Markers, 7/1/1970-9/30/1985; NAID: 6016127; Record Group Number: 15; Record Group Title: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773-2007.

3. Nina M. Bethune. National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland, USA; Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946; NAID: 1263923; Record Group Title: Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789-ca. 2007; Record Group: 64; Box Number: 00081; Reel: 8.

4. Johns Hopkins University collection of African American history and culture, MS-0845, Special Collections, The Johns Hopkins University.