“The UN Secretariat had been very concerned about the question of accommodation for UN delegates, guests and personnel – some of whom were people of colour. This was at a time when certain hotels in New York still practiced some form of unofficial segregation,” explained Freeland. “So, the UN made an arrangement with the Waldorf: the Waldorf agreed to welcome all guests regardless of colour, and, in exchange, it would become the UN’s preferred hotel for housing and events.”