Jackie's 1962 Christmas Visit to DC Village

By Steven Louis Brawley

December 22, 2017: Jackie avoided as many traditional "First Lady" appearances as possible. Her polite brush off policy is legendary. That's why her December 13, 1962 visit to DC Village is so important to acknowledge. DC Village supported and cared for the homeless and underprivileged children and seniors. Jet Magazine covered the event using the headline - "Jackie Kennedy Plays Santa Claus to Needy Negroes."  I was fortunate to buy a copy of the January 3, 1963 issue of the magazine featuring this story (scans below). More research needed on who set up the event and why Jackie agreed to it.

Images courtesy of Jet Magazine, January 3, 1962.

Copyright Steven L. Brawley, 2002-2015. All Rights Reserved.