African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Buffalo news (Buffalo, N.Y. : Daily)]]>
After graduating high school, Irene attended the University of Buffalo but left when her mother became ill. She then became a model and salesperson for Adam Meldrum & Anderson's (AM&As) department store. In 1962, she married a local drummer, Kenneth Greene, who was also raised at St. Philip's. The couple had 3 daughters, and Irene stayed home to raise them but didn't totally quit outside activities. She taught Sunday school at St. Philip's, crafts classes at her daughter's school, and ran the American Cancer Society's Annual campaign for her area.

When her children were in school full-time, Irene decided she wanted to use her talents to contribute to the household income and returned to work. She returned to AM&As entering their management training program. After 12 years, she applied to the sales department at the Buffalo News, where her husband was employed. The News didn't hire her at first but did eventually call her back to become the first Black female outside salesperson.

After 15 years, Irene retired when Kenny, her husband, had open heart surgery. Fourteen years later, on her birthday; Irene's husband succumbed to his heart issues. During this time of mourning, she was invited to join the board of the Bennett High School Alumni Association. What started out as a social group with meetings at members' residences, morphed into a much more diverse organization with Irene's leadership. She has served as vice president and president for the past 20 years. In that time, the group gained a dedicated room on campus and outfitted the school with uniforms, computers, scholarships, field trips, and a mentoring program. The Alumni Association also raises money at the bequest of the principal for projects.

Irene has spent a lifetime being integral to the successful functioning of her beloved church. She has served as a vestry member and warden. She has chaired fundraising campaigns and the annual summer outing. Currently, Irene is Chair of the Food Ministry committee and volunteers at the St. Philip's food pantry. In mentoring young people at Bennett, Irene encourages students to decide on a goal and to work towards it; even when obstacles make achieving it very difficult.]]> Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research & Education on Women, Inc.]]> Blanc Photographie (videographer)]]> Blanc, Yves-Richard]]> eng]]> Postcards--New York (State)--Buffalo.]]> Buffalo (N.Y.)--Buildings, structures, etc.]]> Hotels--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Iroquois Hotel, Buffalo]]> W.G. MacFarlane (Firm)]]> ENG]]>
When their children came of age to be parents, the "natural" approach was applied to many aspects of life, including child birth and breast feeding, and the purchase of toys that promoted creativity and not violence.

In his series, "It's Only Natural," WIVB-TV reporter Rich Newberg, a new father whose wife gave up a teaching career to become a "stay-at-home mom," explores the norms of the 1980's. Dr. Spock is featured in his reports.

In the final segment, Spock defends himself against conservative critics who blame him for being overly permissive in his advice to parents. Some of his detractors advocate spanking as a form of discipline. Spock says was never a "permissivist." He says he was singled out by critics because of his opposition to the Vietnam War.]]> Newberg, Rich]]> eng]]> Beadle, James Prinsep]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Beadle, James Prinsep]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Cascella, Basilio]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> M. Mahus]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Grain elevators--New York (State)--Buffalo--Employees]]> Grain elevators--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Grain trade--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> "The scoopers were at the whim of everybody."

A railroad man at age 17 who would soon become the “boss” of a grain scooping “gang” in 1962, Jack Driscol toiled on Buffalo’s waterfront his whole working life. Jack shared memories of scooping grain deep down in the hold of a ship, of working with equipment that stayed the same since his dad's time as a scooper, and about what being the boss of a scooping gang was really like. Driscol was interviewed in early 2020 by Kate Kaye.

NOTE: This story features detailed descriptions of scooping gangs and scooping work and equipment, grain elevator and railroad operations and related work.]]> Kaye, Kate]]> https://redtailmedia.org/spilling-grain/]]> Driscol, Jack]]> Grosvenor Room of B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Gorny, Anthony-Peter]]> Diocesan Preparatory Seminary]]> eng]]> Concert programs -- New York (State) -- Buffalo.]]> Elmwood Music Hall (Buffalo, N.Y.)]]> Heifetz, Jascha, 1901-1987]]> Wolfsohn Musical Bureau]]> Smith, Mai Davis]]> Benoist, André, 1879-1953]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> 1. What does your square represent? My time at Temple Beth Tzedek when I go for a Havdalah service and I help people sing
2. Why did you choose these symbols? Because they remind me of my Hebrew lessons which I really enjoy.
3. What do you hope viewers notice or feel? Peace, love and happiness]]> Notarius, Shai]]> Jimmie Lunceford]]> Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra]]> African American musicians ]]> Standard Photo Service (Philadelphia, PA) (Photographer)]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Mid-Twentieth Century (1925-1975)]]> 1. What does your square represent? Clouds and Xmas trees and some is happy w birds making music
2. Why did you choose these symbols? I choose the fanciest ones
3. What do you hope viewers notice or feel? Happy]]> syncere]]> Coffin, Haskell]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Rej, Joe]]> Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963]]> Presidential elections--1960.]]>
During his campaign for president of the United States, Senator John F. Kennedy made a stop in North Tonawanda on September 28, 1960. WBEN-TV recorded his speech, which is now part of the JFK Library in Boston. During his address, Kennedy said, "The Soviet system and our system are on trial. The question will be, which system has the longest staying power," Speaking in North Tonawanda, he said the American people have the "power, the will, the determination and the conviction" to come out ahead.

On October 14, 1962, as US president, Kennedy addressed a crowd of thousands in Buffalo's Niagara Square. It was the day Buffalo's Polish community honors the memory of General Kazimierz Pulaski, a Polish hero of the American Revolution. Kennedy said that Poland, dominated by the Soviet Union at the time, must be strengthened, but that the country "has always remained free in the hearts of the Polish people." He added that the United States must "never recognize Soviet domination of East Europe as permanent."

It was on this day in Buffalo, according to Joe Rej, the president of the General Pulaski Association of Western New York, that Kennedy learned of the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba. The Soviets had been building nuclear missile sites, capable of striking the United States.

The news broke two days later on October 16, 1962. Kennedy initiated a blockade of Cuba. During the tense thirteen day crisis which put the world at risk of a nuclear war, an agreement was finally reached. The Soviets dismantled their missiles in Cuba. The United States removed its missiles from Turkey.]]> WBEN-TV, JFK Library]]> eng]]> Concert programs -- New York (State) -- Buffalo.]]> Elmwood Music Hall (Buffalo, N.Y.)]]> McCormack, John, 1884-1945]]> Schneider, Edwin]]> Kennedy, Lauri, 1896-1985]]> Smith, Mai Davis]]> De Forest, Marian, 1864-1935]]> Wagner, Charles L. (Charles Ludwig)]]> McSweeney, D. F.]]> Buffalo Musical Foundation]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Rigas, John J., 1924-]]> Adelphia Communications Corporation]]> On July 24, 2002, 77 year old John Rigas, the founder and CEO of Adelphia Communications Corporation, was indicted on charges of securities, wire, and bank fraud. Two of his sons, Timothy and Michael were also charged, along with two company executives. Timothy had been Adelphia’s financial officer. Michael served as chief operating officer.

John Rigas, the son of Greek immigrants, had started Adelphia in 1952 with a $300 dollar investment. He grew the company to the nation’s fifth largest cable company.

Following the indictments, John Rigas talked exclusively with WIVB-TV Senior Correspondent Rich Newberg, refuting federal charges of conspiring to defraud investors, looting corporate accounts, and failing to disclose $2.3 billion dollars in company debts.
]]> Newberg, Rich (Writer, Reporter)]]> Mombrea, Mike Jr. (Photographer, editor)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Artist) ]]> eng]]> Rigas, John J., 1924-]]> Adelphia Communications Corporation.]]> On July 8, 2004, John and Timothy were found guilty of conspiracy, securities and bank fraud. They were convicted of hiding $2.3 billion in debt, while looting Adelphia of $100 million.

Michael avoided prison by pleading guilty to making a false entry in a financial record. Michael Mulcahey, the former director of internal reporting for Adelphia, was acquitted. The government’s main witness, James Brown, Adelphia’s former vice president for finance, had pleaded guilty to fraud in 2002.

Less than a year later, on June 20, 2005, John Rigas, who at age 80 suffered from heart problems and bladder cancer, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. His son Timothy received a 20-year prison sentence. John’s sentence was later reduced to 12 years, and Timothy’s to 17 years, after a federal appeals court threw out part of the government’s case.

John and Timothy began serving their prison terms on August 13, 2007, when their initial appeals were denied. Two weeks earlier, John sat down with WIVB-TV Senior Correspondent Rich Newberg, proclaiming his innocence and desire to clear the family name.

U.S. District Judge Leonard Sand had also ruled that after serving two years, John could regain his freedom if he were diagnosed with less than three months to live. On February 19, 2016, after serving 8 years in federal prison,Rigas, at age 91, was granted a compassionate release. He had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

]]> Newberg, Rich (Writer, Reporter)]]> Mombrea, Mike Jr. (Photographer, Editor)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Artist) ]]> eng]]> Verrees, J. Paul]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Bull, Charles Livingston]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Woolley, Harry]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Gerald Wood]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Somerfield, Thos.]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Oker, Ernest]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> F. R.]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Somerfield, Thos.]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Great Migration, ca. 1914-ca. 1970]]> Education--New York (State)--Buffalo.]]>
Mrs. Robbins began her career in 1956 as a science teacher. From 1956 to 1959, she taught in two public schools in Raleigh. She re-located to Buffalo, New York in 1960. Her teaching career in the Buffalo Public Schools spanned a 35 year period and included six years teaching junior high school science and ten years as an Administrator, with teaching assignments in science, chemistry and biology. This latter position was at St. Augustine's School/Fulton Academic Complex, a school for pregnant and parenting teens. Mrs. Robbins concluded her teaching career as the secondary principal at St. Augustine's/Fulton Academic Complex. She retired in 1995.

She has been a member of St. Philip's Episcopal Church since 1989. She has served numerous terms on the Vestry, including serving as Warden of the Parish. She has also served as the Superintendent of the Sunday school. She actively serves as a Lay Eucharistic Minister of the Parish. At the Diocesan level, she has served on the Diocesan Council, Episcopal Church Home Board, Board of Episcopal Community Services, Board of Ventures in Faith, Lay Episcopal Youth Council Advisor of the Central Erie Deanery, Urban Missioner Committee, and Diocesan Commission on Ministries.

Her community involvement reflects the high level of her commitment to community service. Past community participation includes membership on the Infant Mortality Task Force, Erie County Health Advisory Board, National Youth Sports Program Advisory Committee, Erie County EEO Hearing Complaint Board, National Association Concerned with School Age Parents, Governor's Task Force on Teen Pregnancy, Buffalo Teachers' Federation, Buffalo Secondary Principals' Association, National Association for Secondary School Principals, National Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Black Educators' Association, Western New York Coalition on Teen Pregnancy, St. Augustine's Community Center Board of Directors, Deaconess Hospital Family Planning Advisory Board, March of Dimes Advisory Board, and Board of Directors of Homespace, Inc.

Mrs. Robbins is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Phi Omega Chapter. She serves on the St. Philip's Community Center Board and volunteers for Women for Human Rights and Dignity.

She has received a number of awards including, Community Service Award and the Angels for Service Award from Women for Human Rights and Dignity; Outstanding Community Service in Education Award; Humanitarian and Caring Award, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Great Lakes Region; and Woman of the Year Award from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

Mrs. Robbins was married to the late James Edward Robbins. She has two stepchildren and five step grandchildren.]]> Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research & Education on Women, Inc.]]> Blanc Photographie (videographer)]]> Blanc, Yves-Richard]]> eng]]> Waroquier, Henry de]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> R.]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Roulbot]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Waroquier, Henry de]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Waroquier, Henry de]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Curtin, John T., 1921-2017]]> Affirmative action programs]]> Race discrimination]]> U.S. District Court Judge John Thomas Curtin (August 24, 1921 - April 14, 2017) was interviewed by WIVB-TV Senior Correspondent Rich Newberg on April 18, 1995. The subject was affirmative action.
 
Judge Curtin issued rulings establishing minority hiring quotas in Buffalo’s police and fire departments and within the Buffalo School District. He believed minorities lacked opportunities for jobs and a quality education, resulting in what he once called “a poorly trained underclass” that became reliant on welfare. 
 
Born in Buffalo, Curtin served as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York from 1961 to 1967 before being nominated by President Lyndon Johnson for a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of New York. He had been recommended by New York Senator Robert Kennedy. John Curtin was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 14, 1967.
 
In 1976 Judge Curtin ordered that Buffalo public schools be desegregated. He ruled that minority students in Buffalo had been denied equal protection under the law, and that a segregated school system in Buffalo had been intentionally maintained. 
 
His rulings led to the hiring of more minority teachers and the creation of academically strong magnet schools that would encourage students of all races to accept being bused to these high level schools. 
 
Though Judge Curtin was targeted for criticism and sometimes even death threats by those who felt his rulings were overreaching, he consistently ruled in favor of removing barriers  that had been built on “unfairness, bigotry (and) bias” against minorities, women, children, and those with special challenges.
]]> Newberg, Rich (Reporter, Interviewer)]]> Root, Kim (Photographer, Editor)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> eng]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> WI/P&GA]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Bracker, M. Leone]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Bull, Charles Livingston]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Illion]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Illion]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> 1. What does your square represent? mountain + pine tree - hiking. Ocean - for the beach. Gem - my september birthstone. This quilt represents me + the things I love.
2. Why did you choose these symbols? It represents my life living in NY + moving to NH for 2 years + moving back home. It shows how beautiful life is in both places.
3. What do you hope viewers notice or feel? I hope viewers feel happiness + it makes them want to camp + be outside.]]> Seguin, Joshua]]>