Schools Attended: Dunbar North Elementary School
Northeast Junior High School
Sumner High School

After graduating from Sumner High School I worked at H.W. Sewing Insurance/Real Estate Office and also attended KCK Junior College. During the 60’s I was very active as Youth Secretary for the NAACP. I was one of the experimental people that was sent to Bendix to take the Secretary Test. Bendix had stated they did not hire African Americans secretaries because they could not pass the Secretarial Test. After taking and passing the test I was hired and worked there approx. 3 years then moved to California in the early ' 60's.

CALIFORNIA: One of my most prestigious jobs was working at Universal Studios in North Hollywood, California, as the only Black Administrative Assistant for the only Black Vice President in Human Relations in the late 60's. I also worked at TRW Space Technology for many years. I was a Real Estate Sales Agent at Seibu Realty.

MOVED BACK TO KANSAS: Worked for the government then was hired at the post office. I Retired from the United States Post Office. While working at the post office I became a union official. Jobs I held locally - KCMO: Steward for 22 years, Chief Steward, Legislative Director and for 15 years held the position of Editor, Director of Human Relations and Director of Injury Compensation; Statewide for the entire state of Missouri for 20 years: Director of Human Relations, Legislative Director and Director of Injury Compensation; Nationally -Washington, D. C. - Central Region POWER (Post Office Women for Equally Rights) for 13 states.

Previous owner of shirt design and typing business called BJ's.

Current Member of Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church, I am a member of the Sanctuary Choir, afternoon bible study and Chairperson of /Black History Month. I am a Member of “Crimson Dolls” Red Hat Society of KCMO; newly elected Assistant Secretary for Sumner High School Class of 1962; Previous President of Sumner Class of 1962; Corresponding Secretary and Chairperson, Alumni History and Traveling Archives for Sumner Alumni Association; Parliamentarian for Golden Jazz Retirees - US Postal Retirees Local #67 KCMO, Community Advocate and member of GeeGee’s Line Dancing Class.

I have one son, Darrick Baylis. He works as a civilian Engineer on the Air Force Base in Georgia. He graduated from Wyandotte High School then went into the Air Force. He attended American InterContinental University graduating Summa Cum Laude in his class. Currently he is one of the owners of MRaines Inc., LLC an ""Eleven86 Artesian Water Company" in Autaugaville, Alabama.

Sumner High School was an all black school when I attended. I enjoyed 3 wonderful years there. The students and teachers were like family. The black teachers brought to Sumner to teach were the best black teachers available and highly skilled. Most of them supported us, had patient and concerned about our education. They instilled in us high standards and always to do our best at whatever we did. They wanted students to succeed and to better themselves. The teachers were involved in the community, attended our churches, shopped where we shopped and knew our parents/family. The classes I took at Sumner High School paved the way for my business career. I was on the Honor Roll at Sumner. Also, I, was one of the student chosen to go to a company to get on-the-job experience in Business. The company I was sent to was H.W. Sewing Realty and Insurance, during my 6th hour by Mrs. Graves my business teacher. This gave me the opportunity to put to use all of my business education that I had learned (Shorthand I and Shorthand II, Typing, Accounting and Business Law,). Chester Owens was my boss. I was graded for the work I did at this company by him. I was able to put to use all of what I had learned at Sumner. I eventually worked (for pay) during the summer months and attended college at KCK Junior College. I, also, ran as queen for H. W. Sewing Realty and Insurance in the Northeast Business Contest/Parade and came in 2nd place.

Clubs I participated in at Sumner High School were: Girls Athletic Association, Pep Squad, President of Future Business Leaders of America and Y-Teens. I was one of the members of the Les Gaies’ Mademoiselles Club. This club was sanction during the early 50's by the school and in the late 50's ended up not been sanctioned and became an outside club.

At KCK Junior College, I was one of the original organizers and member of the Las Gamma Rees’.

I attended KCK Jr. College, Midwest Business College (Calif.), LACC College, (Calif.), and Donnelly College (received AA Degree in Business Administration/Human Relations) and St. Mary's College - Leavenworth, KS (received BS degree in Business Administration/Labor Relations).