This Day in [local] Women's History:

Image of Mrs. Clarence Bergen clipped from local newspaper, The Scrantonian, 1968

MARCH 08, 1951: Mrs. Clarence Bergen discusses "The Role of Negro Women in American Life," Scranton, PA

Mrs. Clarence Bergen was our local Civil Rights Movement leader, but she was also so much more than a local activist and advocate. She was a community stakeholder. She was deeply passionate about education, fair housing and women’s rights. Mrs. Bergen was on the board of Women’s Civic League of Lackawanna County, She was a lead teacher for Keystone Job Corps for Women, chairwoman for the Lackawanna County League of Women Voters, and She was the President Scranton’s Chapter of the NAACP. In fact, Mrs. Clarence Bergen even led the chapter down to the Nation’s capital to participate in the March on Washington in 1963. She was a force and the voice of the Black Community and was not afraid to articulate her her discontent with the mistreatment and appropriation of the black community particularly concerning housing opportunities for black residents.

The Tribune, page 10. March 8, 1951
Scranton, PA.


“to better integrate people of all races and creeds for the betterment of the communities in which we live.”  -Mrs. Clarence Bergen, 1966