Historic status sought for site of women-owned, black business
Darryl Wells Sr., 65, talks about the layout of the basement business that taught sewing and fashion design in Gladys “MaDear” Bennett's house, where Wells lived as a child. The house on Delmar is being submitted to the National Trust for Historic Places because of its significance during the striving of black entrepreneurs in an era of segregation and Jim Crow Laws. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Gladys "MaDear" Bennett overcame racial and economic segregation by running a successful fashion/sewing school and business in the basement of her home.
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historic preservation African American history tourism2025 is almost over. Now is the time to support your trusted local news source.
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Tom Bailey
Tom Bailey retired in January as a business reporter at The Daily Memphian, and after 40 years in journalism. A Tupelo, Mississippi, native, he graduated from Mississippi State University. He has lived in Midtown for 36 years.
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