Sarah L. Delany

Sarah L. Delany (1889-1999) was an African American author, educator and civil rights pioneer best known for her memoir "Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years," co-written with her sister Elizabeth Delany and published in 1993. The daughter of a former slave who became the first African American Episcopal bishop, Delany worked as a high school teacher in New York City and later became the first African American permitted to teach domestic science at the high school level in the New York City public school system. She taught for 35 years before retiring in 1960. Along with her sister Elizabeth, known as "Bessie," Sarah gained widespread recognition when their memoir was published while both sisters were over 100 years old. The book documented their remarkable lives spanning the Jim Crow era through the Civil Rights movement, offering firsthand accounts of segregation, discrimination and social change in America. Their book was adapted into a Broadway play and a television film, bringing their story to an even wider audience. Sarah Delany lived to be 109 years old, maintaining her sharp mind and continuing to share her experiences until her death in 1999.

Readers connect deeply with Sarah Delany's honest, straightforward storytelling in "Having Our Say," praising how she and her sister bring history to life through personal experiences. Many reviews note the warm, conversational tone feels like "sitting down for tea with your grandmother." What readers liked: - First-hand historical perspective spanning 100+ years - Humor and wit despite covering difficult topics - Strong sense of family values and education - Practical wisdom about aging and living well What readers disliked: - Some found the narrative structure jumps around too much - A few readers wanted more details about specific historical events - Occasional repetition of stories Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (21,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (900+ reviews) One reader summarized: "Their perspective on American history is unique and invaluable - from their father being born into slavery to their own achievements as professional African American women in the early 1900s."

Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years (1993) A memoir co-authored with her sister A. Elizabeth Delany and Amy Hill Hearth, chronicling their century of experiences as African American women born in the late 1800s.

The Delany Sisters' Book of Everyday Wisdom (1994) A collection of life lessons and practical advice compiled from conversations with Sarah and Elizabeth Delany, covering topics from cooking to social justice.

On My Own at 107: Reflections on Life Without Bessie (1997) Sarah Delany's personal account of life after the death of her sister Bessie, examining themes of loss, independence, and resilience in her later years.

Zora Neale Hurston documents African American life in the early 20th century South through personal narratives and folklore. Her work shares Delany's focus on Black oral history and family storytelling traditions.

Alex Haley traces African American family histories through genealogical research and interviews. His approach to recording Black American narratives mirrors Delany's methods of preserving lived experiences.

Maya Angelou writes autobiographical accounts of her experiences as a Black woman in America spanning multiple decades. Her memoirs capture the same era and social dynamics that Delany explores in her work.

bell hooks examines Black culture and history through both personal reflection and academic analysis. Her blend of scholarly insight and lived experience parallels Delany's perspective on African American life.

Isabel Wilkerson chronicles the Great Migration and African American experiences through oral histories and family stories. Her work documents the same historical period and demographic shifts that appear in Delany's writings.