HOT DOGS FOR THE QUEEN

About the Book

At a time when racism pervaded American society, a young African-American girl from Hyde Park, NY, developed a close relationship with the wife of one of the most powerful world leaders of her time. While Eleanor Roosevelt is remembered by many as a first lady of our country, a compelling humanitarian, and a champion for women’s rights, she extended the same down-to-earth warmth, kindness, and hospitality to Shirley, as she did royalty, dignitaries and other neighbors. One of the few books documenting an African-American youth’s experiences with the First Lady, “Hot Dogs for the Queen” is a collection of Shirley Jackson’s treasured childhood memories of her family relationship with “Mrs. Eleanor.”

About the Author

Shirley Vaughn Jackson resided on Violet Avenue in Hyde Park, New York, from 1934 to 1967. She matriculated through the Hyde Park public schools, graduating from F. D. Roosevelt High School as valedictorian in June 1951. She was one of the Hyde Park school children who passed out programs to the attendees of President Roosevelt’s Rose Garden burial on April 15, 1945. She was hired as the first Black office employee at the general headquarters of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Company. In December of 1967 she married the Rev. Dr. Belvie H. Jackson, Jr., who was pastor of the historic Smith Street African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. They were transferred to the Greater Centennial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Mount Vernon, N.Y. in June 1968. Included in her many religious and civic endeavors, she is employed by the City of Mount Vernon in the Career Center at Mount Vernon High School. She is the loving mother of two daughters, Christina and Belinda, and the doting grandmother of Christina and Clint’s sons, Tyson and Josiah. After the passing of Rev. Jackson in July 2005, she continues to reside in Mount Vernon where she remains an active member of the church and community.