Return to Homepage
They are two sisters; Sadie became a home economics teacher and Bessie became a dentist in the early 20th century Harlem, New York City.
The value of home economics is more easily understood in the context of the early part of the 20th century than it apparently is now. Many people suffered from diseases which were results from vitamin shortages. Scurvy and Rickets are perhaps some of the better known. Home economics strived to teach people the basics of proper nutrition along with other household systems designed to improve peoples' lives.
Both are graduates of Columbia University and both sisters continued to be active into their 100's. Bessie died in her sleep on September 25, 1995; Sadie in 1999, Their oral history was recorded into the book "Having Our Say" and has now be adapted into a play which was produced on Broadway.
The Delaney family produced many remarkable people.