Marriage across the color line

Life

Marriage across the color line

Two interracial couples who married in Georgia when it was still against the law

A sophomore at Emory University in 1970, Gayle Bowden worked for the student newspaper the Emory Wheel and was an active protester against the war in Vietnam. Courtesy: Garin family

Nick Garin was president of the student center board and an activist when he was a senior at Emory University in 1970. He is seen here addressing student demonstrators just before they occupied the ROTC building. Courtesy: Garin family

Gayle Bowden and Nick Garin met during a retreat for student leaders. They married later that year. Courtesy: Garin family

Nick's father "essentially disowned me" when he married Gayle, and most of Nick's family did not come to the ceremony. Courtesy: Garin family

Nick and Gayle married at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation church, off of North Druid Hills. Courtesy: Garin family

Nick and Gayle moved to Poughkeepsie, where they raised their three sons, who are (from the left) Scott Charles and Philip. Courtesy: Garin family

Gayle Garin was certified as a teacher and worked for several different non-for-profit corporations, including Big Brother big Sister. Courtesy: Garin family

Six years ago Nick Garin retired from his job as an assistant state Attorney General in New York. Courtesy: Garin family

Joseph Carpenter holds Sallie Mitchell when they were both young schoolteachers in Atlanta. Courtesy: Carpenter family

On their wedding day Sallie Mitchell and Joseph Carpenter posed for a photograph with her parents, (from the left) Henrietta and William Mitchell, but Joseph's parents refused to come to the ceremony. He stands next to his grandparents, Annie and George L. Carpenter. Courtesy: Garin family

Joseph Carpenter and Sallie Mitchell were married April 4, 1970, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Courtesy: Carpenter family

Joseph Carpenter served in the Army in South Korea and was called up for additional service during Desert Storm. Courtesy: Carpenter family

Sallie and Joseph Carpenter planned a big party for their 50th wedding anniversary last year but COVID-19 got in the way. They settled for a quiet celebration but hope to have a larger gathering later. Courtesy: Carpenter family

Joseph and Sallie Carpenter were married 51 years ago on April 4, 1971. They live near Eatonton, on Lake Oconee. Courtesy: Carpenter family

On Valentines Day, 2021, Sallie and Joseph Carpenter look back on 51 years of marriage. Courtesy: Family

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A sophomore at Emory University in 1970, Gayle Bowden worked for the student newspaper the Emory Wheel and was an active protester against the war in Vietnam. Courtesy: Garin family

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