Below is an outline of helpful information for teaching this lesson:

• Pittsburgh Courier
  A. African American newspaper established in 1907
  
  
  1. Felt African-Americans were not represented in the white newspapers
  
  
  2. Called for improvements in housing, health, and education
  
  
  3. Empower the community in economics and politics
  
  
  4. Supportive of the Democratic Party (FDR)
  
  B. Held a contest in 1918 to see who could sell the most subscriptions
  
  
  1. Daisy Lampkin won
  
  
  2. The newspaper did not have the funds to pay the prize so Lampkin was given stock in the newspaper instead



• Plight of African-Americans during World War II
  A. United States was still a segregated society and racism was prevalent.
  B. The United States needed workers yet African-Americans were only given trivial jobs.
  C. Despite the need to present a united front, our country did not call African Americans to serve until the end of the war.
  D. One way to mobilize the community was to raise money for the war effort.



• Double V Campaign
  A. Movement spurred by a letter to the editor from James G. Thompson of Wichita, Kansas
  
  
  1. "Should I Sacrifice to Live ‘Half American""
  
  
  2. He demanded equal rights at home if he is risking his life abroad
  
  B. In February 1942, Pittsburgh Courier urged African-Americans to fight for 2 reasons
  
  
  1. "Victory at Home, Victory Abroad"
  
  
  2. Civil rights and patriotism



• Daisy Lampkin
  A. Born in Reading, Pennsylvania
  B. Women's suffragist
  C. NAACP
  
  
  1. Led the anti-lynching campaign in Pennsylvania
  
  
  2. Field secretary 1935 - 1947
  
  
  3. Woman of the Year 1945
  
  D. Pittsburgh Courier
  
  
  1. Obtained stock in company in 1918
  
  
  2. Vice-President 1929
  
  
  3. Raised over $2 million in Liberty bonds
  
  E. Died in 1965 after a long illness
  F. First African-American woman honored with a Pennsylvania state historical marker 1983


• War Bonds
  A. Type of U.S. savings bond
  
  
  1. Last sold during World War II
  
  
  2. Helped to focus civilian patriotism
  
  
  3. Kept inflation down by removing currency from circulation
  
  B. Civilians were given cardboard containers with 75 quarter-sized slots
  
  
  1. When filled with quarters amounting $18.75, the container was turned into the Post Office
  
  
  2. A $25 bond was issued which would mature in 10 years
  
  C. Payroll Savings Plan
  
  
  1. For individuals who cannot afford the $18.75 in quarters
  
  
  2. Advertised in radio, print and outdoor media
  
  
  3. There was a total of 8 bond drives through the course of the war
  
  D. Approximately 85 million Americans raised a total of $185.7 billion in war bonds financing 10 % of World War II
  E. Daisy Lampkin and the Pittsburgh Courier raised over $2 million towards this war effort

Related Behind the Marker Page:

Daisy E. Lampkin [link to Historical Marker Page "Daisy E. Lampkin"]