Melba Stafford - Oakland

1900 ¹

Melba G. Stafford (c.1876 – 1967) was a charter member of the Oakland chapter of the NAACP, the Fanny Jackson Coppin Club, helped found the Linden Street YWCA, and was involved in various other women's clubs. Her name was frequently mentioned in Delilah Beasley's newspaper column.

Family

Melba was born Melvina G. Burroughs in Texas about 1876. She married Anderson Edmund Stafford (1875 – 1960) in Houston on October 3, 1900. By 1903, they had moved to Oakland. Their marriage records suggest Anderson had already moved to Oakland, and returned to Texas to marry her.

By the 1905 directory they had moved to 934 Willow Street (988 before renumbering) where they lived for many years. Anderson worked as porter for the Southern Pacific Railroad, and there's an ad in the 1915-1916 directory for Mme. Melba G. Stafford, Modiste (clothing maker).

The 1910 census lists Melba's sister Alice Burroughs living with them on Willow Street, and also a roomer. The 1920 census lists Melba's niece, Melba Miller, who was also listed in the 1930 census.

934 Willow 1915-1916 directory

from 1915-1916 directory

By the 1940 census they had moved to 2914 Linden Street. That lists Melba's other sister, Willie Burroughs, living with them. She was also listed in the 1950 census.

Civic and Clubs

In 1914, she was on the executive board of the Alameda County Colored American Civic Center, along with Hettie Tilghman, Julia Shorey, and other women. The board endorsed voting yes on the bond to complete the new Oakland Auditorium. ²

In 1917, Stafford organized a local Unit of the Red Cross called the "Ada Young Auxiliary of the American Red Cross." ³

In 1920, Melba, along with Hettie Tilghman, Delilah Beasley, and Willa Henry, organized the Linden Street YWCA.

at a Beth Eden Church picnic, 1905 ⁴