Vigo County Historical Society

Black teacher becomes writer

Jayne Dabney Shackelford uses this quote from Robert Louis Stevenson’s "A Child’s Garden of Verses" to introduce her book, "My Happy Days."

The book was a dream fulfilled for Jane. She had long wanted to write about the life of an

average African-American child who was happily growing up in a loving home with progressive, hard-working parents.

"My Happy Days" depicts such a life for an 8-year-old boy living in Terre Haute in the 1940s. The quote was a favorite of his.

An earlier accomplishment, "The Child’s Story of the Negro," published in 1938 and revised in 1956, is an excellent history reader designed to tell the complete story of the African-American from Africa to America. It demonstrated the achievements of the African-American in literature, drama, music, fine arts, education, science and international relations. It was popular with young readers and also served as an aid to teachers.

Jane taught for 43 years in Vigo County, first in a one-room city school with five grades and later at Booker T. Washington School where she taught third grade. She also devoted 25 years to the Girl Scouts as a troop leader. Her listing in "Who’s Who in American Women" speaks to her successes in life.

An accomplished teacher and writer, Jane Dabney Shackelford was indeed an exceptional woman. She was writing her autobiography when she died at the age of 84. A sign on her door asked that she not be disturbed as she was working.

In a message to parents at the beginning of "My Happy Days," she expressed the hope that the pattern set in her book would be followed in many homes to promote a feeling of belonging and enjoyment of the democratic way of life. It was her belief "strengthening family life is a bulwark of democracy"--is a philosophy as timely today as it was when she expressed it 40 years ago.

These books are part of the display commemorating Black History Month.