LeDroit Park in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Government Girls
Worthy Ambition
— LeDroit Park/Bloomingdale Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 23, 2017
To your right is Lucy Diggs Slowe Hall, a Howard University dormitory. It opened in 1942 as U.S. government housing for African American women who came to DC to take new war-related jobs or fill in for men who left to join the military during World War II (1941-1945). These women and their white counterparts were known as "government girls." Housing was tight, so the few government-built residences were in great demand. Following local custom, they were segregated.
Slowe Hall honors a celebrated Howard University women's dean, tennis champion, and co-founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first national sorority for African Americans. In addition to housing young women, Slowe Hall offered meeting spaces that brought notables to the neighborhood. Constance Allen, who grew up nearby, recalled greeting Eleanor Roosevelt in 1943 when the first lady met here with Mary McLeod Bethune, a member of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Black Cabinet."
Charles E. Fairman, curator of the U.S. Capitol's art collection, lived at 325 U Street with his wife Mary from 1887 until the 1940s. Their neighbor across the street at 320 was Julia West Hamilton, founder and longtime president of the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA and mother of Col. West Alexander Hamilton. In 1941, Mathilde Smith Gray opened the LeDroit Park Nursery School one block west at 404 U Street.
On your way to Sign 5, you will pass original McGill Victorian style houses and some replacements that mimic them. The nonprofit Manna, Inc., built 319-325 U STreet in 1997. Turn left on U Street to reach Sign 5.
Erected 2015 by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 4.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Government & Politics • War, World II • Women. In addition, it is included in the Eleanor Roosevelt, the Former U.S. Presidents: #32 Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the LeDroit Park/Bloomingdale Heritage Trail, and the Mary McLeod Bethune series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.
Location. 38° 55.01′ N, 77° 0.956′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in LeDroit Park. Marker is at the intersection of 3rd Street Northwest and U Street Northwest, on the left when traveling north on 3rd Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1934 3rd Street Northwest, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Christian Fleetwood and Sara Fleetwood Residence Site (within shouting distance of this marker); A Voice from the South (about 300 feet away, measured
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 23, 2017
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 22, 2020
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 23, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on February 22, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.