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Citation: Indiana Magazine of History, 121 (September 2025). © 2025, Trustees of Indiana University. doi: 10.2979/imh.00082
Author: Monica Maria Tetzlaff, Associate Professor of History, Indiana University South Bend.

The article discusses the history of Odie Mae and Bernard Streets, a middle-class African American couple, located in South Bend, Indiana.
They were significant participants in the long civil rights movement from the 1930s through the 1960s.
Themes discussed include their contributions to Black rights, the right to recreation, home ownership, and ending police brutality.
Odie Mae's activism intersected with Latina women's rights and the Head Start program.

Notable individuals and entities mentioned: Elizabeth Fletcher Allen, J. Chester Allen, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Bahá’í, Marion, Indiana lynchings, NAACP, police brutality, and the Studebaker Corporation.

Odie Mae Johnson Streets (1913–2006): A homemaker and later a Head Start preschool teacher.
Bernard Streets Sr. (1906–2000): A dentist and civil rights activist.
Their experiences reflect a mid-20th century perspective of the African American middle class engaging in civil rights activism.

Odie Mae Wingo's Early Years: Born in Chicago and lived with maternal grandparents in Kentucky before relocating to South Bend.
- Grandparents provided Odie with educational opportunities despite their challenges, shaping her confidence and worldview.
Bernard Streets's Early Years: Born in West Virginia to a mixed-race heritage; experienced racism throughout youth.
- Struggled for education and became the only Black child at his school.

Gender dynamics were evident in civic engagement, with Odie Mae and Bernard working together to address racial injustices.
Odie Mae's quote: “We are all brothers under the skin.” Highlights the importance of community welfare and unity.
The article explores how their values translated into a commitment to civil rights activism intersecting with issues faced by other marginalized communities.

Social and Recreational Dimensions: They found joy in music, dancing, and community social interactions amidst activism.
Civic Engagement Activities: Bernard and Odie Mae were involved in local NAACP activities, promoted education, and challenged racial discrimination, especially in educational and public domains.

The impact of the Great Depression on opportunities for Black citizens in South Bend; involvement in political movements for equality.
African American voters shifted allegiance from the Republican to Democratic party, though Bernard Sr. maintained his Republican identity.

Bernard participated in significant civil rights lawsuits including contesting racial discrimination in theaters.
Focus on community uplift through educational initiatives and establishing cultural ties.

Odie Mae joined the Head Start program, supporting early childhood education initiatives focused on low-income families while promoting parental involvement.
Continued fight against police brutality and discrimination post World War II and into the 1960s with substantial community involvement.

Their children, Bernard Jr., Donald, Nancy, and Sandra, continued the activism into the late 20th century with various achievements and contributions to social justice.
Odie Mae and Bernard Streets were active in the Bahá'í faith, advocating for racial unity and global citizenship, and providing a support framework for their family and community.

The story of the Streets family represents a slice of the broader Black struggle for equality in Indiana, emphasizing the importance of community, education, and civil rights activism across generations.