Sarah Fitten oral history interview, 2014 December 15

Sarah Fitten oral history interview, 2014 December 15

Fitten, Sarah

12/15/14

Sarah Fitten's family lived in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood on the edge of Buttermilk Bottoms. In Fitten's close-knit neighborhood, she developed a sense of community responsibility and a strong work ethic that led her to spend 41 years as Assistant Director for Services of the Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority. She helped identify rent assistance and housing for those facing homelessness, food pantries for those needing provisions, clothing banks for the indigent and employment assistance for families needing self-sufficiency. As an advocate for parents for school reform and as a nurturing guardian in the lives of many children, Fitten became affectionately known as Mama Sarah. Her volunteer efforts have included involvement in the construction of a Grady satellite clinic in the Kirkwood area of DeKalb County, MARTA expansion, the Atlanta Project, Habitat for Humanity and Boys and Girls Club. She attended David T. Howard High School and is a lifelong member of Butler Street Baptist Church.

From her home in Conley, Georgia, Fitten provides a detailed story of her experiences in Buttermilk Bottoms. She thoroughly outlines the geography of the neighborhood and provides details of community institutions. She provides a history of her church, Butler Street Baptist Church, along with other places in the community. She discusses a vibrant life in the community rooted in strong family values and work ethic. She describes diversity in the neighborhood and explains how the community was affected by urban renewal. She talks about community and civic leaders and their roles in community development.

Locations: Buttermilk Bottoms -- Fulton County (Ga.) -- Atlanta (Ga.)

Urban renewal

Community development, Urban

Neighborhoods--Social aspects

Digital Library of Georgia

text

sound

http://digitalcollections.library.gsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/PlanATL/id/2842