Elizabeth Carpenter was born in 1919 in Pittsburgh and grew up in Homewood on Murtland Avenue. Ms. Carpenter was homeschooled until the sixth grade. From seventh grade on she would attend Westinghouse High school. She would go on to graduate as a member of the class of 1937. When asked about growing up in her neighborhood Ms. Carpenter recalled “Everybody knew everybody and helped everybody if they needed help.” Ms. Capenter worked as a house cleaner for a neighbor, helping them care for things around their home. Ms. Carpenter had many friends, remarking ” We were all friends. I didn’t have any particular friends, we were all friends, classmates.”
Bulldog Pride
One big takeaway from Ms. Carpenters time at Westinghouse was the immense pride herself and every student felt about the school. Whether it was in regards to the music program, football team or the track team which Ms. Carpenter was a part of herself. There was a lot to be proud of at Westinghouse no matter where you looked. According to Ms. Carpenter a common phrase among the students was “This is the House, and the House won’t lose!”
Stars of the Halls
He had to sit on a telephone book so he could be raised up high enough to play the piano.
James “Honey Boy” Minor on percussion, Joe Westray on electric guitar, Erroll Garner behind piano, and George “Ghost” Howell on bass, on stage of Harlem Casino (detail) ca. 1939–1940, Carnegie Museum of Art, Heinz Family Fund.Photo by Charles “Teenie” Harris, view the rest of his collection by clicking the link here.
While looking back on some of the most notable figures she shared the halls of the House with, one that came to mind was Erroll Garner. While those outside of Westinghouse may just know Erroll for his incredible skills as a Jazz pianist, Ms. Carpenter commented how they used to joke with Erroll about having to to sit on top of a phonebook just to be able to play the piano. Among others were the fantastic Jack Oz and her English teacher Mrs. Paul. Mrs. Paul would write on the board every single day “Procrastination is the thief of time.” and that quote has always stuck with Ms. Carpenter.
Westinghouse Forever
At the end of the day, no matter what you did at Westinghouse and when you did it, there’s always an everlasting feeling of pride you have for just having been through those halls among some of the best musicians and athletes Pittsburgh has ever seen. If you were to ask someone who went to Westinghouse they’d let you know that those halls had some of the best PEOPLE the Homewood community, and city of Pittsburgh, has ever seen as well.
To listen to the full interview with Elizabeth Carpenter, follow the link to the interview here.
Under the direction of Mrs. Birdie Nichols, the Westinghouse Choir thrived. Former students remember their teacher, nicknamed “Aunt Birdie,” fondly. 1970s alumni shared their memories of the choir and their teacher with us.
Leadership and Structure
“That lady requires all of the credit in the world,” one of Nichols’ former students, Kent DeHonney, told us of Nichols. He believes that his former teacher deserves a plaque in front of Westinghouse High School commemorating her time spent directing the choir. Alumni remember the expectations “Aunt Birdie” held for her students. “She expected excellence in every aspect.” DeHonney, who served in the US Air Force, claims to have learned structure and stability from Nichols. “Since graduating from high school and specifically leaving the choir,” he told us, “I have applied what she had given me throughout my life.”
Another former student, Eve Michele Howard, called Nichols a strong leader and a strong woman with high expectations. The teacher “knew what you were capable of,” according to Howard, and “would do what it took to help you reach that goal.” These expectations went beyond her students’ musical talents; Birdie Nichols wanted her students to work to their “highest level in all things.”
Nichols established a president and sergeant at arms of the choir and DeHonney served as president. He sang solo at his 1978 graduation. “I’m grateful for her,” he told us, “parts of who I became as a human being and as a man are because of her.” She taught her students more than how to sing; DeHonney remembers that the taught them how to me entrepreneurs. “She showed us how to build things and make profit from them,” he said. This entrepreneurship afforded the choir a trip from Pittsburgh to California with hotel, meals, and extracurricular activities paid for by the students.
“Parts of who I became as a human being and as a man are because of her.”
Going on the Road
“Mrs. Birdie Nichols was ahead of her time,” DeHonney told us. He remembers that just before the trip to California, the Westinghouse Choir performed at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. “That concert was led by none other than Mary Lou Williams.”
Howard remembers another performance that she shared with us. The Westinghouse Choir was invited to sing at the State House of Representatives in Harrisburg. “That was another proud moment.” The choir also sang on television. Howard remembers the choir practicing on the back of a bus and, while they were singing, “somebody from Channel 4 was on the bus” and booked them for a segment on the show.
Reunion
In 2012, about 45 Westinghouse alumni surprised “Aunt Birdie” with a performance for her birthday. In 1980, Nichols formed the Glorious Rebirth Performance Troupe with some former students. An article from the Pittsburgh Courier covered the story, noting that the troupe’s “goal in to share an uplifting message of hope, joy, and love.” Videos of the performance can be found on YouTube here.
Birdie Nichols stands as a testament to the impact teachers make on their students. The love and respect Nichols’ students had for her during her time at Westinghouse prevails today.
