Clara Louise Payne

Clara Louise Payne (1882–1958) was a prominent civic leader in Buffalo, New York. She was the first African American person to work in the Department of Public Welfare as a social worker, and was known for her active engagement to uplift her Black community.

Biography Clara Louise Payne was born in Buffalo, New York in February 1882 to parents Thomas W. and Grace L. Payne. Her father was an office clerk and her mother a matron at a school. She had two siblings, Madeline Payne Middleton and Dr. Earle Clifford Payne.

She was a member of St. Philip's Episcopal Church, which her grandparents helped found.

In 1911, she was named co-head worker at the Social Center for Negros along with Susan Evans. The center offered mostly industrial and recreational programs, as well as some educational and cultural programs for adults.

She was a Girl Scout Troop Leader and started the first integrated YWCA in the area. In 1926, she was elected to the Board of Directors and was a member of the Y's Business Girls' Council and Inter-racial committee.

She was a founding member of the Buffalo Urban League and its board of directors. She was involved from 1927 until 1958.

Career In 1905, Payne was employed as a domestic worker. In 1915, she was a caterer. She also held administrative roles in the NAACP and the National Urban League.

In June 1921, Payne began working as a Home Visitor for the Department of Public Welfare, and continued in this profession for 32 years as a social worker. She was the first African American to work in the social welfare department for Erie County.

Death and legacy Payne died on September 5, 1958, at the age of 76.