Victoria Greene

New York, 1933 I sat on a chair nervously tapping my foot on the floor. I was outside the office of Mr. Oliver Stone, who was the manager of the Waldorf Astoria hotel. I needed a job urgently and those days, the only job for a n***o girl was working as a maid. I had moved from Alabama to New York in 1932 to search for a better life much to my parents' dismay. My father was not happy about his eighteen-year-old daughter alone in the big city but I always had bigger aspirations than Alabama. "Ms. Victoria Greene". The blonde-haired woman said as she continued chewing her gum. I got up and gave her a thankful smile as I went into the office. My gaze met the grey-haired man seated behind the desk. "Are you just going to stand there?". He said rather harshly and I rushed to stand in front of the desk. "Sit". He said and I complied. "It says here that you are from the south". He said as he went over my resume. "Oh, yes sir. Born and raised in Alabama". I said putting on my best smile. "What made you move to the North?". He said not looking up from the paperwork. "I wanted to build a better life for myself, sir". I replied and this time he lifted his gaze. The look of disgust on his face was difficult to miss and I shifted in my seat uncomfortably. "A better life for yourself?. I hope your ambitions will not cause us any problems. You should know your place in this world". He said and I nodded meekly. "Yes, sir". I said in a defeated tone. He had quickly reminded me that people like me could not get far during those days. "You got the job". He said and my heart jumped with joy but I kept my cool demeanor. "Thank you, sir". I said and he rolled his eyes. "Now you will be cleaning Mr. Charles Luciano's room. He has a reputation with the female staff but I imagine since you are a n***o he will not want to touch you". He said as I felt a pang in my chest. He insinuated that he would not want me because I was black but I already knew that. "Now you can go upstairs and go get your uniform. You will be given a book with all the rules". He said and I nodded. "Leave". He said and I quickly got up and left the office. "You got the job?". The blonde-haired woman asked and I nodded. "Congratulations, I'm Angela, welcome". She said holding her hand out for me to shake. I took her and shook at slowly watching a smile form on her red painted lips. I was surprised by her friendliness as back then not many white folks liked my kind. I took the stairs as Negros were not allowed to use the elevator. I never imagined how my life would change from that day.