Description
First edition of Miz Lucy’s Cookies by Eddie Faye Gates, inscribed to former U.N. Ambassador and diplomat Edward J. Perkins.
Octavo, 450pp, [6]. Paperback, title in black on spine. Stated “First Edition, Second Impression” on copyright page. Slight bend to text block, a touch of shelf wear, otherwise clean and crisp text. A near fine example. Inscribed on the title page: “March 9, 1997 / Best Wishes to Ambassador Ed Perkins. / Hope you enjoy my book. / Eddie Faye Petit Gates.”
Eddie Faye Petit Gates (1934-2021) was an educator; who attended Tuskegee Institute, obtained a Master’s degree from the University of Tulsa, taught high school students for 22 years, and published three books including this autobiography. Gates retired from teaching in 1992 and worked for various causes, but was most influential in her research on the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. She collected stories of the remaining survivors through oral histories and pushed for reparations for the families until her passing.
Dr. Edward J. Perkins (1928-2020) served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, as well as Liberia, South Africa, and Australia throughout his 25-year foreign service career. In 1986 President Ronald Reagan appointed Perkins to serve as ambassador to South Africa in hopes of fending off a congressional override to his veto of economic sanctions against the country. It was a controversial decision amidst apartheid in South Africa, and many Black leaders urged Perkins to not take the role. Perkins accepted the position and served until 1989, one year before Nelson Mandela was released from prison. He was appointed U.N. Ambassador by George H. Bush in 1992, serving for one year.
