I first met Tippy at the very first Oberlin Juneteenth Festival, which she had helped organize. I was the festival host that year and immediately fell under her spell. She was bright, funny, beautiful - and deeply serious about documenting Oberlin's aboltionist history.
Over the years, I worked with her many times on print and public radio stories about Oberlin's Black abolitionist past. The highlight of my time with her was the 150th anniversary celebration of her family's Canadian homecoming in North Buxton. ONT, when that small community was designated a national Canadian heritage site. We had such fun that weekend! I even got to meet all three of her older sisters.
Tippy was warm, engaging, and honest. I loved her deeply and always will.
Karen Schaefer. Oberlin. Ohio