Annie Reed

Annie Mitchell Reed, a Black woman living in early 20th-century Kentucky, served as a nanny, cook, laundress, and seamstress reflecting the constrained roles available to African American women during segregation. In 1917, Reed’s life intersected with one of Kentucky’s most tragic events—the deadliest train wreck in the state’s history.

Employed by the Hurst family of Bardstown, Reed was tasked with caring for their children, including an infant named Joseph. On the fateful day, after an appointment in Louisville with Mrs. Hurst, they boarded a train for the journey home. The train was made up of two wooden passenger cars, one for white passengers and one for Black passengers. Mrs. Hurst, holding baby Joseph, wished to sit with a friend in the predominantly white passenger car and asked Reed to move to the “colored car.”

Near Shepherdsville, an express train collided with the rear of their train. The crash was unfortunate, claiming about 50 lives, including Mrs. Hurst and her baby. Reed, who had moved to the other car as directed, survived. Though buried under debris, she emerged physically unharmed after breaking a window to escape the wreckage.

Annie Reed’s story is not only one of survival but also a representation of the racial divide at the time. Despite enduring the psychological aftermath of the accident, she continued to provide for her family, raising nine children with her husband, Lem Reed. Her experiences and strength in the face of adversity are a testament to the resilience displayed by countless African American women who navigated a segregated and unequal society. Reed’s legacy continues through her descendants who carry on her spirit of tenacity.