Under the title “Bread Upon the Waters,” the July 28, 1932 issue of The Bossier Banner appealed to its readers on behalf of the Shreveport Training School for Girls.
“There appears elsewhere on this page an appeal for funds for the maintenance of the Shreveport Training School for Girls. It is authoritative, coming from the office of the president of the board of directors of the institution Mrs. J. Hill Fullilove, Jr. As it happens, we had the pleasure of a visit with Mrs. Fullilove at her home in the city Monday evening, [and] later, in her company, visiting the school. Her appeal touched a responsive cord [sic] in our heart—as it would, and will, in yours: ‘We don’t want to give out these dear little ones here and there any more so than that would course would appeal to any parent who knows a motherly or fatherly sense of responsibility and love. We have shielded and provided for them and trained them as best we could all these months—these several years now—they are dear to us and we want to keep them.’”
“The magnanimity of soul, the sweet charity of this good woman and the predominating love within her breast impressed us as we conversed with her. We wanted to help.”
“For the information of those to whom the aims of the Shreveport Training School for Girls is not known, let it be said that it is in no sense a school of correction. It is, more than anything else, like a large home in which there are many little girls—their haven—where they are given the comforts of life, trained and sent forth to the public schools of the city. It is open only to little girls of Caddo and Bossier parishes—orphans or others equally unfortunate by reason of having no one else to provide for them. The girls at the school (of not too tender age) all work, but the institution, of course, cannot be self-supporting. Recently there were seventy-two girls at the school. Homes have been found for many of these and now there are but fifty-eight—but there are many worthy little ones on the waiting list who cannot be taken in for the reason that there is a dearth of funds with which to keep the institution going. Each month it is necessary to provide say $700 to $800 to keep all these little ones fed, clothed and otherwise provided for. Fortunately, there are many to give—and more who should give, and will as best they can.”
“… give in the fullness of your hands to this worthy institution, and remember that your gift may well be in the shape of truck, produce, clothing or anything else necessary in the rearing and training of these helpless little girls who now know no other home. Shall we stand idly by to see that home closed to them when a little effort and, perhaps, a little sacrifice on our part would keep its doors open? And remember:”
“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.”
The aforementioned appeal was printed in the same issue of The Banner as follows: The management of The Banner is pleased to start a fund and bring the matter to your attention. If you would like to give to it, we would be glad to receive and acknowledge your contribution and then place it in the hands of those authorized to receive and disburse it.”
Remember that this appeal was made when people were trying to deal in the midst of the Great Depression. However, an examination of city directories reveals that the Shreveport Training School for Girls lasted long enough to be listed in the directory until 1938 when there was no entry for the school.
We welcome any more information about this school and invite you to visit the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center to research this and other schools.
Ann Middleton is Director of the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center. She can be reached at (318) 746-7717 or amiddlet@state.lib.la.us.
