Lorena Kelly Oral History Interview

August 18, 1972
Oral History #OH0005
Creator(s)
Lennon, Donald R. (Interviewer); Kelly, Lorena, 1903- (Interviewee)
Physical description
0.005 Cubic Feet, 1 audiocasette, 1 hour, 23 pages
Preferred Citation
Lorena Kelly Oral History Interview (#OH0005), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
Access
No restrictions


Biographical/historical information

Lorena Kelly was born on May 17, 1903, at Mt. Mourne in Iredell County, N.C. After obtaining her M.A. from Scarritt College, she received an appointment from the Western Carolina Conference of the Methodist Church as a teaching missionary to the Congo. She worked there from 1936 to 1969.


Scope and arrangement

Kelly recounts her experiences on the mission field working in the rural Congo. Particular note is made of impressions of African life, organization of missionary stations, development of schools, students' prospects for success, leadership positions being undertaken by women, the Congolese Rebellion of 1960-1963 and treatment of missionaries during the outbreak, current control of the mission organization by African people, and medical care in the area. Included are samples of the Otetela language. For related material see Collection #208.


Administrative information
Source of acquisition

Gift of Lorena Kelly

Processing information

Processed by C. Carter, February 1984

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Copyright notice

Repository does not own copyright to the oral history collection. Permission to cite, reproduce, or broadcast must be obtained from both the repository and the participants in the oral history, or their heirs.

General note

1936-1969


Key terms
Personal Names
Kelly, Lorena, 1903-
Topical
Medical care--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Missionary settlements--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Lodja
Tetela language--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Women--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Places
Congo (Democratic Republic)--History--Civil War, 1960-1965
Congo (Democratic Republic)--Social conditions--20th century
Congo (Democratic Republic)--Social life and customs--20th century