STM Blog
The Black librarian who rewrote the rules of power, gender and passing as white
Deborah W. Parker, University of Virginia
“Just Because I am a Librarian doesn’t mean I have to dress like one.”
With this breezy pronouncement, Belle da Costa Greene handily differentiated herself from most librarians.
She stood out for other reasons, too.
In the early 20th century – a time when men held most positions of authority – Greene was a celebrated book agent, a curator and the first director of the Morgan Library. She also earned US$10,000 a year, about $280,000 today, while other librarians were making roughly $400.
She was also a Black woman who passed as white.
Born in 1879, Belle was the daughter of two light-skinned Black Americans, Genevieve Fleet and Richard T. Greener, the first Black man to graduate from Harvard. When the two separated in 1897, Fleet changed the family’s last name to Greene and, along with her five children, crossed the color line. Belle Marion Greener became Belle da Costa Greene – the “da Costa” a subtle claim to her Portuguese ancestry.
When banking magnate J.P. Morgan sought a librarian in 1905, his nephew Junius Morgan recommended Greene, who had been one of his co-workers at the Princeton Library.
Henceforth, Greene’s life didn’t just kick into a higher gear. It was supercharged. She became a lively fixture at social gatherings among America’s wealthiest families. Her world encompassed Gilded Age mansions, country retreats, rare book enclaves, auction houses, museums and art galleries. Bold, vivacious and glamorous, the keenly intelligent Greene attracted attention wherever she went.
I found myself drawn to the worlds Greene entered and the people she described in her lively letters to her lover, art scholar Bernard Berenson. In 2024, I published a book, “Becoming Belle Da Costa Greene,” which explores her voice, her self-invention, her love of art and literature, and her path-breaking work as a librarian.
Yet I’m often asked whether Greene mentions her passing as white in her writings. She did not. Greene was one of hundreds of thousands of light-skinned Black Americans who passed as white in the Jim Crow era. While speculation about Greene’s background circulated in her lifetime, nothing was confirmed until historian Jean Strouse revealed the identities of Greene’s parents in her 1999 biography, “Morgan: American Financier.” Until that point, only Greene’s mother and siblings knew the story of their Black heritage.
“Passing” can often raise more questions than answers. But Greene did not largely define herself through one category, such as her racial identity. Instead, she constructed a self through the things she loved.
‘I love this life – don’t you?’
In my view, any consideration of Greene’s attitudes toward her own race must remain an open question. And uncertainty can be acknowledged – even embraced – with judgments suspended.
The Morgan Library & Museum currently has an exhibition on Greene that will run until May 4, 2025 – one that’s already generated debates about Greene and the significance of her passing.
One section of the exhibition, “Questioning the Color Line,” includes novels on passing, paintings such as Archibald J. Motley Jr.’s “The Octoroon Girl,” photographs of Greene, and clips from Oscar Micheaux’s 1932 film “Veiled Aristocrats” and John M. Stahl’s 1934 film “Imitation of Life,” which portray painful scenes between white-passing characters and their family members.
None of these objects clarifies Greene’s particular relationship to passing. Instead, they place the librarian within melodramatic and conventional representations about passing that stress self-division and angst.
We don’t know – perhaps we will never know – whether Greene had similar moments of self-doubt.
Yet some critics have concluded as much. In his review of the exhibition for The New Yorker, critic Hilton Als laments what Greene’s passing had cost her. He describes her as a “girl who loved power,” a woman who “became a member of another race – not Black or white but alternately grandiose and self-despising.”
There’s a lot of certainty in such a pronouncement – and scant evidence furnished to support such declarations.
New York Times columnist John McWhorter takes issue with Als’s depiction of the librarian’s passing in a Jan. 23, 2025, article.
Citing passages from her letters in which Greene excitedly describes reading the Arabic folktales “The Thousand and One Nights” and seeing exhibitions of modern art, McWhorter asks readers to reconsider this “witty, puckish soul who savored books and art” and “had an active social life.”
What if Greene gave her race little thought, McWhorter wonders. What if she simply saw the notion of race and racial categorization as “a fiction” and instead lived her life to its fullest? Of course, her light skin afforded her the opportunity that other Black people of her era didn’t have. But does that necessarily mean that she was self-loathing or conflicted?
“[W]e are all wearing trousers and I love them,” Greene writes in one letter to Berenson, adding, “The Library grows more wonderful every day and I am terribly happy in my work here … I love this life – don’t you?”
Greene’s vitality captivated Berenson, who once described the librarian as “incredibly and miraculously responsive.”
The connoisseur was not the only contemporary who admired Greene’s effervescence. In “The Living Present,” an account of the activities of women before and after World War II, Greene’s friend Gertrude Atherton paid tribute to Greene, a “girl so fond of society, so fashionable in dress and appointments” that she could impress any stranger with her “overflowing joie de vivre.”
Crafting an aura
Viewed through a more expansive lens, Greene’s passing can be seen as part of an exercise in self-fashioning and self-invention.
Greene dressed to be noticed – and she was. Meta Harrsen, the librarian Greene hired in 1922, offers a rare eye-witness account. On the day Greene interviewed Harrsen, “she wore a dress of dark red Italian brocade shot with silver threads, a gold braided girdle, and an emerald necklace.”
Greene understood well the power of clothes to project a distinct identity – a highly crafted one in this case, and one befitting a connoisseur of rare books.
At that, she excelled. She became known for her stunning acquisition coups: her purchase of 16 rare editions of the works of English printer William Caxton at an auction; her procurement of the highly coveted Crusader’s Bible through a private negotiation; and her acquisition of the Spanish Apocalypse Commentary, a medieval text written by a Spanish monk that Greene was able to buy at a steep discount.
To me, a 1915 photo captures Greene’s confidence and aura more than any other image of the librarian.
She posed in her home and wasn’t shot in soft focus with a studio backdrop as other photographs tend to portray her. Sitting on the arm of a large chair upholstered in a tapestry weave, she wears an elaborate hat with a large ostrich plume, a high-necked blouse under a long, loosely belted jacket with a ruffled cuff over a long dark skirt. The decor is no less striking: Flemish tapestries decorate the walls behind her, and a liturgical vestment is draped over the bookcase. Looking directly at the viewer, Greene is assured and poised.
Greene’s stylish flair was not simply decorative. It was a testament to her vibrant personality and the joy she took in her work. Rather than judge her according to contemporary notions of racial identity, I prefer to marvel over her achievements and how she became a model for generations of future librarians.
Greene didn’t just pass. She surpassed – in spectacular ways.
Deborah W. Parker, Professor of Italian, University of Virginia
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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100 Percent of Sales Fund Local Charities on March 26 “Day of Giving”
MANASQUAN, N.J. /PRNewswire/ — Hoping to raise a record-breaking amount for charity this March, Jersey Mike’s Subs, known for its authentic fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs, asks customers to eat a sub and help a local cause. (View/download b-roll)
To celebrate the company’s 15th Annual Month of Giving, Jersey Mike’s locations across the country are joining forces with more than 200 local charities.
During the month of March, customers will have the option to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar or donate $1, $3, or $5 when placing their order. Charities include hospitals, youth organizations, food banks and more.
The campaign culminates in the nationwide event, Day of Giving, on Wednesday, March 26, when local Jersey Mike’s owners and operators will donate every single dollar that comes in to local charities.
At the first nationwide fundraiser in 2011, all of Jersey Mike’s 454 locations raised $600,000 for 66 charities. Since then, Jersey Mike’s annual Month of Giving has raised more than $113 million for hundreds of local charities.
This March, Jersey Mike’s hopes to exceed last year’s record-breaking national fundraising total of $25 million and help local charities striving to fulfill their missions and make a difference.
“I would like to extend a personal invitation to you and your family to visit Jersey Mike’s Subs throughout the month of March, and especially on Day of Giving when 100 percent of sales goes to help a great local cause,” said Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO, who this year celebrates 50 years since he bought his first sub shop at age 17.
In each market, Jersey Mike’s owners select charities that support local neighborhoods to build stronger communities.
For more information, visit jerseymikes.com/mog.
About Jersey Mike’s
Jersey Mike’s Subs, with more than 4,000 locations open and in development, serves authentic fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs on in-store freshly baked bread — the same recipe it started with in 1956. Passion for giving in Jersey Mike’s local communities is reflected in its mission statement “Giving…making a difference in someone’s life.” For more information, please visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X. Join the conversation at #JerseyMikesGives.
Contact: Kyle Potvin, [email protected], 917-838-4500
SOURCE Jersey Mike’s Subs
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Metro Updates
Welcome to the latest updates on the progress of Metro projects in the Westside area of Los Angeles! As part of LA Metro’s commitment to improving transportation and community infrastructure, there are several important developments to share.
Upcoming Wilshire Boulevard Construction – What to Expect
Mark your calendars! Starting on March 17, 2025, the contractor will initiate deck removal and street restoration for the future Wilshire/Rodeo Station. Thanks to the City of Beverly Hills, an alternative closure plan has been approved, drastically reducing the originally planned 18 weekend closures to a streamlined three-week full closure.
During this closure, Wilshire Boulevard will be completely shut down between just west of Crescent Drive and just east of El Camino Drive. This essential closure will facilitate deck removal, street restoration, and restoration of water service lines, all while minimizing disruption to the community. Additionally, please be advised that the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Beverly Drive will be closed during this period.
For detailed information and the latest updates, visit the official website here. For immediate concerns, feel free to contact the Metro Hotline at 213.922.6934 or the Beverly Hills Customer Service at 310.285.2467.
D Line Section 1 & 2 Community Meeting – Beverly Hills Stations
On March 12, 2025, Metro is hosting an in-person community meeting to provide the public with an update on the D Line Extension’s Beverly Hills stations. This informative session will cover key construction progress, project milestones, and the anticipated benefits of the new Wilshire/La Cienega and Wilshire/Rodeo stations. Stay tuned for more details!
D Line Art Workshop
In an exciting initiative, Metro Art is inviting the Veteran community to a free art workshop designed to uplift Veteran stories. This fun and engaging event will allow participants to learn new artistic skills and collaborate with an artist in designing construction site banners for the future D Line Metro station that will serve the West LA VA.
Event Details:
- Date: March 8, 2025
- Time: 10 AM – 1 PM (Drop In)
- Location: Heroes Golf Course, 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90073
Art supplies and refreshments will be provided, and all ages and experience levels are welcome! Click here for the event flyer and to RSVP.
Stay tuned for more updates on these projects and how they will enhance mobility and community engagement in the Westside of Los Angeles!
Visit the website for details and the latest updates: https://bit.ly/41by7K4
The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.
https://stmdailynews.com/the-bridge
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Moon Landing
In a significant milestone for space exploration, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 made a successful landing on the Moon at 3:34 a.m. EST on Sunday. Positioned near the volcanic feature of Mons Latreille within Mare Crisium, a vast basin exceeding 300 miles in diameter, this event marks a pivotal moment in NASA’s initiatives concerning lunar exploration.
This successful moon landing represents the first delivery under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative for Firefly Aerospace, and it adds another achievement to the Artemis campaign aimed at returning humans to the Moon. The Blue Ghost lander now rests upright and stable on the lunar surface, ready to begin its suite of scientific operations.
The Blue Ghost craft is carrying ten cutting-edge NASA science and technology instruments designed to perform a variety of functions over approximately one lunar day, which translates to about 14 Earth days. Acting Administrator Janet Petro highlighted the importance of this mission, stating, “This incredible achievement demonstrates how NASA and American companies are leading the way in space exploration for the benefit of all.” The lessons learned from this mission will enhance future safety protocols for scientific exploration on the Moon and beyond.
Following its launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on January 15, the Blue Ghost traveled over 2.8 million miles. During this journey, it downlinked more than 27 gigabytes of data while conducting several critical science operations. One notable achievement included signal tracking from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) at a record distance of 246,000 miles, validating the potential for similar positioning systems to be used effectively on the Moon.
Nicky Fox, associate administrator for science at NASA Headquarters, emphasized the significance of this mission in laying the groundwork for future human presence on the Moon: “The science and technology we send to the Moon now helps prepare the way for future NASA exploration and long-term human presence to inspire the world for generations to come.”
The instruments aboard the Blue Ghost will perform a variety of tasks during their lunar surface operations, including testing advanced drilling technology, collecting regolith samples, and developing lunar dust mitigation strategies. The insights gained from these experiments will contribute to our understanding of how space weather and cosmic forces interact with Earth.
As operations continue, the team intends to capture stunning imagery of the lunar sunset and investigate the behaviors of lunar dust during dusk conditions—an occurrence previously documented by Apollo 17 astronaut Eugene Cernan. Following the lunar sunset, the lander will remain functional for several hours into the lunar night.
Firefly Aerospace’s CEO, Jason Kim, expressed gratitude to NASA for the partnership and outlined the significance of this mission. “Blue Ghost’s successful Moon landing has laid the groundwork for the future of commercial exploration across cislunar space,” he stated, adding, “We’re now looking forward to more than 14 days of surface operations to unlock even more science data that will have a substantial impact on future missions to the Moon and Mars.”
In total, five companies have been awarded 11 lunar deliveries under the CLPS initiative, propelling the lunar economy forward with over 50 instruments being sent to various lunar locations, including the lunar South Pole. With a cumulative maximum contract value of $2.6 billion through 2028, the CLPS initiative is set to revolutionize how we explore and utilize the Moon’s resources.
As we celebrate this monumental achievement, it is clear that the collaboration between NASA and companies like Firefly Aerospace is paving the way for a new era of exploration, promising exciting discoveries that will benefit our understanding of the cosmos and our own planet for generations to come.
Learn more about NASA’s CLPS initiative at:
The science section of our news blog STM Daily News provides readers with captivating and up-to-date information on the latest scientific discoveries, breakthroughs, and innovations across various fields. We offer engaging and accessible content, ensuring that readers with different levels of scientific knowledge can stay informed. Whether it’s exploring advancements in medicine, astronomy, technology, or environmental sciences, our science section strives to shed light on the intriguing world of scientific exploration and its profound impact on our daily lives. From thought-provoking articles to informative interviews with experts in the field, STM Daily News Science offers a harmonious blend of factual reporting, analysis, and exploration, making it a go-to source for science enthusiasts and curious minds alike. https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/
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