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Ethel Ray Nance, a civil rights activist, had a passion for taking notes, which inspired her to train in stenography while still in high school. In 1919, she began working as a stenographer for the Minnesota Forest Fires Relief Commission.
When she was hired as a stenographer at the Minnesota State Legislature in 1923, she made national headlines. She was the first African American woman to serve in the legislature. Nance went on to work for the New York Urban League magazine, Opportunity. In 1924, she met with Charles S. Johnson, the director of research and editor of Opportunity.
She worked for Opportunity as Johnson’s secretary, writer, and researcher. This compelled her to move to New York. During the Harlem Renaissance, she offered her New York residence to young writers and artists so they could explore their artistic impressions. Nance, on the other hand, had to leave her job in 1928 to care for her sick mother in Minnesota.
During this time, she became the first African-American police officer in Minnesota after the Minneapolis Police Department established its first women’s bureau. She worked at the unit until 1931, when she was forced to retire due to severe arthritis.
She worked for Opportunity as Johnson’s secretary, writer, and researcher. This compelled her to move to New York. During the Harlem Renaissance, she offered her New York residence to young writers and artists so they could explore their artistic impressions. Nance, on the other hand, had to leave her job in 1928 to care for her sick mother in Minnesota.
During this time, she became the first African-American police officer in Minnesota after the Minneapolis Police Department established its first women’s bureau. She worked at the unit until 1931, when she was forced to retire due to severe arthritis.
