Vinita Thurman

Birth: She was born in 1906.  

Family Information: Daughter of William Thurman.

Sister of Kenneth Thurman.

She married William A. Seegers while living in the colony.

Description:  

Pre-Colony History: She arrived in the colony in July 1921 and immediaely started to work and school.

Home in Colony:  

Job in Colony: In April 1922 she was part of a group of students who helped out at the kindergarten that included Rosa Matz, Ruby Synoground, Laura Merrill, Nellie Kemp, Vinita Thurman and Mabel Synoground.

She also was part of a group of students including Margaret Kapotsy, Maxine Gaddis, Alice Jaques and Laura Synoground who were shelling peanuts at the store.

Plus she worked in the cafeteria -- shelling peanuts, setting tables, getting dinner together and washing dishes -- along with Albert Kapotsy, Alice Jaques, John Dougherty, Beulah Gaddis, Ruby Synoground, Laura Merrill, Laura Synoground, Margaret Seelye, Emma Kapotsy, Nellie Kemp, Margaret Kapotsy, Rachel Jaques and Dora Cryer.

According to a family source, she apprenticed under Dad Gleeser, who she described as a wonderful teacher, in the print shop.  

Other Info: In April of 1922 Harry Bell performed the ditty "I Love a Lassie" in one of the theater programs assisted by a bevy of lovely girls consisting of Louise Belorahdsky, Rose Matz, Maxine Gaddis, Vinita Thurman, and Mildred Seelye.  

Post-Colony History: According to a family member she remained in the colony for about seven years.

After her marriage, both she and her husband left the colony for jobs up north. Both worked first for the "Public Ledger", then the "Philadelphia Inquirer", where she became "the fastest linotype operator and the only woman allowed in the composing room" until she retired in 1972.

She shared stories of her life in the colony with her children, remembering many of her friends fondly, in addition to Howard Buck, her former teacher. She always described the Colony years as the happiest in her life.  

Death:  

Sources: Family Source: Virginia Harrison; Photo Archives; "Vernon Parish Democrat": July 14, 1921; "Llano Colonist": April 15, 1922, April 22, 1922