The Mathews Chapter of the NAACP has had a busy Spring already!
Recently, the group started a project to celebrate Women’s History Month, and also successfully sponsored a COVID-19 vaccination clinic with Three Rivers Health District this month. Yvette Gaither, member of the Mathews NAACP, says that the clinic served 150 residents. “Being in a rural community, it is important that we have the same opportunities afforded as larger communities. The NAACP is concerned about the well-being of all people therefore sponsoring a vaccination drive was a top priority.”
The local chapter also honored women trailblazers of Mathews County for Women’s History Month this March. This project gained lots of support and engagement on Facebook as people were able to celebrate women, past and present, in the community. Yvette said they focused their efforts on social media. “Facebook provided a great opportunity to show appreciation to the women of Mathews County. With the current events of today, recognizing women trailblazers allowed the NAACP to show diversity and inclusion to the residents of Mathews County.”
We were given permission to list the women on our blog so that those without Facebook can see the honorees. (Editors note: nominees may not be in the correct order.)
The Honorees of 2021
Sallie S. Foster
Educator
Principal and Teacher at Lee Jackson Elementary School
Member of Zion Baptist Church
Majorie Hayes
Artist
Artwork featured at Bay School of Arts
Member of Emmaus Baptist Church
Marion Grey Trusch
Mathews High School Business and Government Teacher
Member of Beulah United Methodist Church
Lois Diggs
Thomas Hunter School Principal
School Teacher
Member of First Baptist Church
Helen “Edwina” Casey
Board of Supervisors
Mathews Lions Club
Down the Road Hunt Club
The Red Hat Society
Lois Robinson
Rappahannock Community College Librarian
Thomas Hunter Librarian and French Teacher
Mathews High School French Teacher
Member of Ebenezer Baptist Church
Amy Hauser
Former Asst. Principal, Thomas Hunter School
Created the first Founder’s Day for present day Thomas Hunter School honoring Black administration and teachers
Helen Forrest
First Black Employee of Mathews Health Department
Member of Antioch Baptist Church
Angela Ingram
First Black Clerk of Circuit Court, Mathews, VA
Martha Thomas
Teacher
Physical Education, Thomas Hunter School
Health and Physical Education, Mathews High School
Rev. Bertina Westley
Pastor of Salem United Methodist Church
Member of Mathews NAACP
Bette Dillehay
Director at the Mathews Memorial Library
2002-Present
Georgienne B. Laws
Math Teacher
Guidance Counselor
Taught 45 years with Mathews County Public School System
Delia Lee
Bus Driver & Cafeteria Manager, Thomas Hunter School
Organist, Deaconess and Choir Member of Emmaus Baptist Church
Emily Allen
Executive Director of Mathews Visitor Center
Mathews Main Street Committee Member
Mathews Rotary Club
Continental Societys, Inc.
Mathews Chapter
Foster, promote and develop the welfare of underprivileged children and youth through acts of community service
Kamilah Turner
Spearheaded the name change of the elementary school in Mathews in 2020
Professional dancer – most notably, Lion King in London’s West End
Florine Smith
Teacher at Thomas Hunter School
Member of Emmaus Baptist Church
Eastern Star
Hands Across Mathews Volunteer
Charlene Small
Taught 43 years in Mathews
Member of Spring Hill Baptist Church
Lifetime PTA member
Founding co-sponsor of the Junior Beta Club at Thomas Hunter School
Esther Thurston
Home Economic Teacher, Thomas Hunter School
April Edwards
Mathews County Sheriff Dept.
Co-Owner of Virginia Marine Contracting, Inc.
Task Force Officer with Hampton Roads
Human Trafficking Task Force
Betsy Ambach
(1932-2020) active member of the Mathews County Historical Society, Garden Club, Women’s Giving Circle, and annually donated funds for the hanging flower baskets in downtown Mathews
Nevada Johnson
Teacher, Thomas Hunter School
Wilnet Willis
Mathews School Board
Member of Emmaus Baptist Church
Nancy Johnson
Teacher, Thomas Hunter School
Minister
Member of First Baptist Church
Rosalind Knight
Music Teacher at Thomas Hunter School
Owner of Knight Funeral Home
Member of Antioch Baptist Church
Linda Hodges
Executive Director of the Middle Peninsula-Northern Neck Community Services Board
Judy Rowe
Teacher, Thomas Hunter School
Chair of the Mathews County Broadband Advisory Board
Rev. Dr. Melissa Mason
First Black Female on Board of Supervisors, Mathews County
Former School Board Member
Associate Minister at Emma’s Baptist Church
Rosalyn White
Philanthropist
1990, gifted the largest endowment by a single donor in the state of Virginia to Mathews County Public Schools
Beatrice Bobo
Former NAACP President
Educator
Emmaus Baptist Church Sunday School Teacher
Edith Turner currently serves as the Mathews Branch NAACP President. If you are interested in learning more or joining the local chapter, visit www.NAACP.org, and select “join.” The Mathews Branch Number is 7090-B. Enrollment is online and as an active member. Yvette is also happy assist you and can be emailed at [email protected] or reached on Facebook.
