Bessie Turner
Cite this Page
"Bessie Turner," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/1010.
- Position
- Maid
- Years in President's House
- circa 1944 – 1950
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Female
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Biography
- Bessie Turner was born around 1890 in Washington, D.C. It appears that she worked on and off as a charwoman, or cleaner, in the District while her husband George served as the family’s primary breadwinner. In 1930, for example, she worked as a cleaner for a vocational school. (1) The 1940 Census listed her as a housewife, and the Turner family owned a home at 1017 6th St. SW (near today’s Arena Stage). (2) In 1944, she appeared on the White House staff roster as a member of the East Wing night cleaning force, and she likely worked there through at least 1950 when the census listed her occupation as charwoman for the U.S. government. (3) At this time, further information about Bessie Turner’s life and tenure at the White House is limited.
- (1) Bessie Turner, 1930 United States Federal Census, Year: 1930; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 0101; FHL microfilm: 2340029, Ancestry.com.
(2) Bessie Turner, 1940 United States Federal Census, Year: 1940; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia; Roll: m-t0627-00557; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 1-148, Ancestry.com.
(3) Bessie Turner, 1950 United States Federal Census, National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: 5908; Page: 6; Enumeration District: 1-314, Ancestry.com. - Birthplace
- Washington, D.C., USA