Renaissance Women: Eulalie Spence

Feb 28, 2025

Aaliyah Yates, a producer at Wonder Media Network, takes us on a journey through Eulalie Spence's life, a pioneering playwright from the British West Indies. They discuss Spence's role in the Harlem Renaissance, showcasing how she celebrated everyday Black life through her folk dramas. Yates sheds light on the resistance Spence faced, including criticism from notable figures like W.E.B. Du Bois. The conversation emphasizes the importance of reviving interest in her works, ensuring that her profound legacy continues to inspire future generations.

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ANECDOTE

Early Life and Immigration

Eulalie Spence was born in Nevis, British West Indies, and raised on a sugarcane plantation.
A hurricane destroyed the plantation, prompting her family to immigrate to New York City in 1902.

ANECDOTE

Childhood in Poverty and Education

Eulalie Spence and her six sisters grew up in poverty after their father struggled to find work in New York City.
Despite their financial hardship, their mother instilled in them a strong sense of self-worth and purpose.

INSIGHT

Dual Career Path

Eulalie Spence became an educator, teaching elocution, dramatics, and English.
Simultaneously, she pursued playwriting, winning awards for her plays in Black periodical competitions.

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Eulalie Spence (1894-1981) was a playwright, director, and teacher from the British West Indies. She made a living as a school teacher, a profession she stayed in for 40 years, but truly made a name for herself by winning awards in several theater competitions. As a self-described “folk dramatist,” her plays depict everyday Black life. This led her to gain criticism from contemporaries like W.E.B. Du Bois, whom she was in the famed Krigwa Players with. She authored some fourteen plays, five of which were published, including “Episode,” “Fool's Errand,” “Her,” “The Hunch,” and “Undertow.” Her works continue to be studied and performed today.

For Further Reading:

This Black History Month, we’re talking about Renaissance Women. As part of the famed cultural and artistic Harlem Renaissance movement, these women found beauty in an often ugly world.

History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.

Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.

Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates, Vanessa Handy, Melia Agudelo, and Joia Putnoi. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.

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