Clara Reese Kirk, 1942; Dorothy Alexander, 1944; and A'Lelia Kirk, 1944
Clara Reese Kirk, 1942
Clara Reese Clark graduated from the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music in 1942 (now known as Butler’s School of Music). During her junior year in 1941, she became the “Official Colored State Accompanist” for the State of Indiana.
Music had always been an integral part of Clara’s life, as she played the flute in her high school band. However, she is best remembered as an accomplished pianist. According to her obituary, “One of the musical moments that she held most dear was when she accompanied W.C. Handy (St. Louis Blues fame) in concert.” Another noteworthy appearance was the opportunity to play the grand piano in the White House for Mrs. Bess Truman, wife of President Harry Truman.
Clara had a 37-year career in teaching at the Indianapolis Public Schools.
Indiana University School of Medicine
During the 1943 academic year, Dorothy Alexander and A’Lelia Josephine Kirk applied to and were accepted into the Indiana University School of Medicine. They were the first two Black women to be accepted into the prestigious program, which had been founded in 1903. While both women had been accepted to the IU School of Medicine for the 1944 academic year, neither ended up enrolling, electing instead to pursue other opportunities.
Dorothy Alexander, 1944
Dorothy Alexander graduated from Butler University in 1944 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. She went on to earn master’s degree in child psychology from Purdue University and another master’s degree in social science from Smith College. Her path took her to Massachusetts, where she became the Assistant Chief Probation Officer for the state.
In a brief article and photo of the wedding of Dorothy Alexander from the Indianapolis Recorder newspaper, Josephine Kirk is pictured standing second from the right and Clara Reese Clark is noted to have played the music for Dorothy’s wedding.
A'Lelia Kirk, 1944
A’Lelia “Josephine" Kirk would also graduate from Butler University in 1944, receiving her bachelor’s degree in Organic Chemistry. In the following years, she obtained a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Butler University and later a 2nd master's degree in child psychology from Purdue University.
In addition to being one of the first African American women to have been accepted to the IU School of medicine, Josephine was also one of the youngest Black women in the nation to hold the position of a hospital Chief Psychologist, a role she held at the Danvers State Hospital in Massachusetts. She is also noted as the first African American senior professional employee at the Indiana University Medical Center – Riley Hospital.
