THE GOOD NEIGHBOR PLEDGE

DWIF Campaign

The Denton Women's Interracial Fellowship conducted numerous campaigns in Denton for African American civil rights. The Good Neighbor Pledge was a petition designed to improve equal access to housing. They knocked on doors asking Denton residents to sign the "survery" which read:

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"I believe that every person has the moral and legal right to rent, buy, or build a home anywhere without restriction based on race, religion, or national origin. Equality of opportunity is basic to the American society and our religious beliefs.

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“Therefore, I will welcome persons into my neighborhood without regard to race, religion, or national origin; and I will work with them to build, to improve, and to maintain a community which is good for all.”

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As southern society was beginning  desegregation, Fellowship members took action to promote integrated dining and to improve job access for African Americans. Toward this goal, they went in pairs --one black woman with one white woman-- to formerly segregated restaurants, depositing with their payment a simple slip of paper with these printed words: 

"As your Customer I Welcome Being Served By Any Qualified Person Regardless of Race, Creed or Color." 

This artwork contains original photos of the Good Neighbor Pledge and restaurant note, along with a 1990s reunion photo of the DWIF published in the Denton Record-Chronicle.