Creadell Haley

Creadell Haley spent several years as a Baha’i pioneer to Venezuela. She had achieved unique status both as a woman, a minority, and as a licensed private pilot. She gave wings to her ambitions which manifested in subsequent accomplishments, and even more noteworthy, because it was during a time when few if any females ventured into the fields of automotive mechanics and piloting aircraft, to which she aspired.  (A Closer Look:  NBR, #4, p.4.)

A Closer Look

Pawhuska, Oklahoma

Creadell Haley was born on 4 July 1916 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. In high school she became fascinated by auto mechanics, stemming from a class she had taken, and upon graduation decided on that field of study as a post-graduate. She soon found that as a young lady she would not easily be accepted as an apprentice into to field of her choice.

True Passion
The difficulties she encountered soon revealed her true passion, wanting to fly, and to learn more about engines and machines. Creadell applied at a local airfield and was accepted into the course. The family had previously moved from Oklahoma to Illinois, and during this time (the late 1930s) Illinois became a mecca for civilian aviation. It was therefore easier for her to arrange for flying lessons than it had been to become a mechanic. She was the only female in the course, and her instructor related that “she was the best of all their students”.
Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC)
In 1941 she was ready to solo for her pilot’s license. However, World War II intervened and all training for civilian pilot licenses were halted when the Army took over the airport. Creadell’s instructor advised her to join the Army. Taking his advice, on 4 Sep 1942, she joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). She was not able to fly, but as a member of the Army Motor Corps her abilities as a mechanic were further honed.  She achieved the rank of “Sergent’.
Education / Flying / Music
After military service, Creadell returned to Illinois, enrolled in Wilberforce University, and also returned to the airfield where she was able to quickly receive her private pilot’s license, thereby, fulfilling her dream. She later left Wilberforce University to enroll in the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music, and later continued her music education at San Jose State University.
Baha'i Faith
It was during her time spent in California that she was introduced to the Baha’i Faith. The record is not clear as to how this came about, nor of her immediate activities. However, what is clear is that she was inspired to represent the faith as a pioneer to Venezuela. Here she would remain until her return to the United States in 1999. She then took up residence at St. Mary’s Court Apartments in the Foggy Bottom section of Washington, DC.
Unique Status
Creadell Haley achieved unique status both as a woman and as a minority. She gave wings to her ambitions which manifested in subsequent accomplishments, and even more noteworthy because is that it took place during a time when few if any females ventured into those fields to which she aspired.

Residence

St. Mary’s Court Apartments that is located at 725 24th Street NW
Washington, DC 20037.  Across from the infamous Watergate Complex.

Residence

Baha'i Prayers for Pioneers

“Thou knowest, O God, and art my witness that I have no desire in my heart save to attain Thy good pleasure, to be confirmed in servitude unto Thee, to consecrate myself in Thy service, to labor in Thy great vineyard and to sacrifice all in Thy path. Thou art the All-Knowing and the All-Seeing. I have no wish save to turn my steps, in my love for Thee, towards the mountains and the deserts to loudly proclaim the advent of Thy Kingdom, and to raise Thy call amidst all men. O God! Open Thou the way for this helpless one, grant Thou the remedy to this ailing one and bestow Thy healing upon this afflicted one. With burning heart and tearful eyes I supplicate Thee at Thy Threshold.”

“O God! I am prepared to endure any ordeal in Thy path and desire with all my heart and soul to meet any hardship.”

“O God! Protect me from tests. Thou knowest full well that I have turned away from all things and freed myself of all thoughts. I have no occupation save mention of Thee and no aspiration save serving Thee.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

_________________

References

[1] Report partly adapted from: Foggy Bottom News, June 2000.[2] Creadell Haley, Baha’i Pioneer to Venezuela, National Baha’i Review, No. 4, ‘Time-Clock Our Foreign Goals’, Americas, Baha’i Year 125, April 1968, p. 4.[3] Photo by Terry Randolph.  Capital Yacht Club, Washington, DC, August 2000.

Additional Research Required

Additional research needs to be done in both the Washington DC Baha’i Archives and archived resources locate in The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University in order to develop a fuller history of the activities of the Baha’i Faith in the Nations Capital and of its membership.

First Meeting

Terry Randolph first met Creadell Haley at a Baha’i Fireside hosted by Hazel Neave (longtime Baha’i pioneer to Thailand) at her apartment during an early afternoon in August 2000. Those in attendance: Barbara Eaton-Bond, her husband Richard, Ouida Coley, and several other Baha’is and their guest. Both Hazel and Creadell resided at St. Mary’s Court Apartments.

Background
It was during Terry Randolph’s visit to the United States from the Philippines in June 2000 that he first heard about Creadell Haley. At that time he had taken temporary residence with the Coley family, located at 6402 16th St., NW, Washington, DC, and completing preparations for departure to Asmara, Eritrea in September of that year. This would be the first stop on his Africa Research Development Project that would eventually include travels to eight Africa nations over a four-year period of time.

From Francis Coley he first learned about Creadell Haley, followed by her daughter, Quida, who explained Creadell’s accomplishments and pioneering experience. She said “Creadell would be attending a Baha’i Fireside this afternoon and if you want to meet her you could also attend. Just contact Hazel Neave because it’s being held at her apartment.” He was very much surprised to learn that Hazel Neave, a Baha’i friend, former caretaker of the Washington, DC Baha’i Center, and long time pioneer to Thailand, and whom he had not seen since visiting that country several years earlier, had returned to the United States, and once again resides in Washington, DC. He stated that he would be very happy to meet and talk with Creadell Haley.

Those attending the Fireside that afternoon included Barbara Eaton-Bond, her husband Richard, Ouida Coley, and several other Baha’is and their guests.

Lunch / Interview
Terry invited Creadell to have lunch together with him and his son, Na’il, the next day at the Oriental East Chinese Restaurant located in the Blair Park Shopping Center, 1312 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, and very near the Giant Supermarket.

 The next day, he went to pickup Creadell at her apartment building. Along with his son, the three of them first stopped to take advantage of a beautiful day by walking around the grounds of the Capital Yacht Club, and where several photographs were taken. Creadell had fun playing with Na’il, then about sixteen months old, and afterward they went to the Chinese restaurant for a delicious meal, and also where the interview took place.

Creadell mentioned that much of what she had to say about her life had already been written in an article by a reporter from the Foggy Bottom News. She also mentioned that her memory was then not so clear, and how happy she was to be able to participate in local Baha’i activities.

The newspaper article mentioned above, together with information acquired during the interview, form the bases for this report.

Passing
Terry Randolph departed Washington, DC for Eritrea in September 2000, and made a brief return in November of that year. He then learned the sad news that Creadell Haley passed away on 2 November 2000 after suffering a brain hemorrhage.
Graveside Prayers
Terry Randolph along with his son, Na’il, on 17 November visited the gravesite of Creadell Haley to pray for the beloved departed.
In Memory
A financial contribution was made by Terry Randolph in memory of Creadell Haley to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Eritrea on 19 November 2000.

Burial

Creadell Haley, Rank, Sargent, United States Army, was interred 8 November 2000 at Quantico National Memorial Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Road (Route 619)
Triangle, Virginia 22172. Burial Site: Section No. 5, Grave No. 258.

Burial

Na’il Randolph

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