Hattie Black reaches half-century mark

Ruth Stevens

It was October of 1951 when 17-year- old Hattie Black began working at Princeton. Harry Truman was president of the United States, Harold Dodds was president of the University and the Department of Geology was looking for a good typist.

Black had grown up in Princeton and graduated from high school that spring. She had been taking classes at Rider College.

Hattie Black

Her father heard about the job opening in Princeton's geology department and told Black she should apply. She got the position and, 50 years later, she's still working at the University. What would her father think about her longevity?

"He'd love it," she said. "He stayed in his job (at the Hun School) longer than this -- maybe 60 years."

Black was among the employees recognized Feb. 25 at the annual Service Recognition Luncheon. In addition to being honored for her half-century of service to the University, she received a 2001 President's Achievement Award for her dedication and excellent work (see story on page 6).

It's unclear whether her 50-year employment is a University record. This is the 10th year of the Staff Recognition Program administered by the Office of Human Resources, and no other 50-year employees have been publicly honored since it began. However, at least one other employee recently has achieved that status, but wishes to remain anonymous.

Black also is not one to toot her own horn. According to those with whom she works, she just goes about her business without a lot of fanfare. Several mentioned her "unselfish devotion" to the University over the years.

"It was not particularly easy in those days for a young black woman to find a congenial space at Princeton," wrote Colin Palmer, the Dodge Professor of History and acting director of the Program in African American Studies, in nominating Black for the President's Achievement Award, "but Hattie survived because of her extraordinary dedication to her work, her competence, her ability to navigate difficult circumstances and her unassuming personality."

Started in typing pool

Black began her career at the University as a member of the typing pool in the geology department. She was promoted to department secretary and then, in 1972, she moved to her current position as a secretary in the Program in African-American Studies. She processes invoices, helps students find what they need, arranges for meetings and conferences, and works with faculty members on course syllabi and other materials.

Howard Taylor, professor of sociology and director of African-American studies early in Black's tenure in the program, praised her precision, her "flawless" memory and her pleasant personality. He and those nominating her for the achievement award also mentioned her way of soothing stressful situations. "When everybody else was going nuts, she would be quite calm and say, 'Well, maybe we just ought to talk more about this.'"

Looking back over the years, Black remembers highlights such as seeing moon rocks delivered to Guyot Hall and meeting Martin Luther King Jr. when he was on campus. She used to catch a glimpse of Albert Einstein from time to time and sang in a choir with his daughter. But it's her own co-workers and not the famous people who are more important to her.

"I just enjoy coming to work every day," she said. "I have great people to work with." She said she also likes being around the students.

Outside of work, her family is a top priority. She has a grown son and daughter, and she proudly displays pictures of her two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren in her office. In addition to spending time with her family, she likes to watch television, travel and shop ("I'm a shopaholic," she admits.)

One of her shopping partners is her sister Wynola Smith, who works in the Office of Information Technology. They are often mistaken for each other on campus, Smith said, although people figure it out when they realize Hattie is not quite as demonstrative as her younger sister.

"I guess they say to themselves, 'What is wrong with Wynola today? She didn't give me a hug or kiss,'" joked Smith, who has worked at the University since 1973. There are four sisters in the family altogether, and they remain very close, according to Smith.

"We are very proud of our sister Hattie and hope God will continue to bless her and her family," she said. "She has truly been an asset to the University."

With 50 years under her belt, the obvious question is whether Black is ready to call it quits.

"I have no plans right now for retirement, but I know I'm not going to stay forever," she said. "I can't believe I've been working here 50 years. The time has just passed so quickly."