Page 12 - Newsletter
P. 12
Celebrated Sisters
By Marcia L. Hinton
The Alumnae Association of the Philadelphia High School for Girls believes it is important to
take note of dedicated alumnae, whose important contributions have eased the way for,
and inspired so many women. Celebrated Sisters is an initiative designed to complement
our Distinguished Daughters by highlighting the continued accomplishments of Girls’ High
graduates. 100th Birthday Celebration
of Clarissa Cuff Wilson Dunston
Born in Gouldtown N.J. on August generations. Her family has
12, 1916, her family relocated to grown to include 9 grandchildren,
Philadelphia in September 1930. 20 great grandchildren, 9 great,
She attended Barratt Jr. High and great grandchildren and 2 great,
graduated from the Philadelphia great, great grandchildren.
High School for Girls in 1935. She For 28 years she worked at the
continued her studies at the
Berean Business School. Active in polls on Election Days. In 1968
her church St. Simon the
Cyrenian, she sang in the Junior she returned to the employ of the
Choir, became a charter member
of the Girls Friendly Society at St. federal government until her
Simon in 1934, and taught
Sunday school. Clarissa Cuff Wilson retirement in 1985.
An avid traveler, she’s visited the
United Kingdom, Morocco, Europe,
the Caribbean, Brazil, Canada, Mexico;
The job market was tight in the crisscrossed the U.S including
post-Depression era, so she Hawaii and Alaska; and cruised the
moved to Baltimore and found Mediterranean. Her other
employment with the federal pastimes include watching movies
government. In 1941 she and live theatre and listening to
married Charles Dallas Dunston jazz music. She enjoys spending
in St. Simon the Cyrenian time with her immediate family
Church. They raised 4 children; and her St. Simon church family.
Cheryl, Andrea, Charles Dallas Jr. Graduation program June 1935 Like a true Girls’ High girl, her alma
and Bernard. The next few years mater forever holds a special place
were spent rearing children and with Mrs. Dunston and her family.
becoming active with the Home
and School Association. She is Her mother, Clara Coxen, was a
now blessed to be a part of 6 graduate of Girls Normal School,
