Pre-World War II paper from Phoenix’s black community is the newest addition to the Arizona Memory Project

PHOENIX – From 1937 through 1943, the Phoenix Index was an important newspaper for the black community living in the Valley. Alberta Gibson began editing and publishing the newspaper in 1939, when she was one of a few women in the industry.

“We’ve digitized the Phoenix Index from 1939 to 1943, offering readers a glimpse of the political, social, and economic questions facing the African American community in Phoenix during the early years of WWII,” said Sativa Peterson, National Digital Newspaper program grant director and news content program manager for the State of Arizona Research Library. “The African American Press, such as the Phoenix Index played a key role in advocating for the full utilization of black troops in the military.”

Additionally, the newspaper included community news, fashion advice, sports commentary, as well as Bible lessons and sermons.

This is one of seven newspaper titles from black communities around Arizona that were digitized by the Arizona State Library in partnership with the University of Arizona Libraries, with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Library of Congress’ National Digital Newspaper Program. Issues from 1939 to 1942 of the Phoenix Index will be available on the Arizona Memory Project indefinitely and can be viewed for free on any digital device at https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/digital/collection/thephxindex.

The Arizona Memory Project provides free online access to the wealth of primary sources in Arizona archives, museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions. The Arizona Memory Project is supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

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