Hattie Mae White

By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.

In the 20th century, Hattie Mae White was the first African American elected to public office. She was once a schoolteacher and in 1958, she held a position on the Houston school board during segregation. There was a parent who was against a black person being a board member, but she held her ground. With numerous support from black voters, and some support from whites, she reflected on how this was a time where black and white Houstonians collaborated on a political campaign.

Although she received support from many, there were also many people who were not happy with her efforts. Because of this, a week after the election, her windshield was shot out, and someone set a cross on fire in her family’s front yard. Her family was traumatized by these events.

White was not pleased with how the schools were “separate but not equal,” as well as how expensive they were to maintain, so she spearheaded the effort to desegregate Houston’s schools. She endured animosity from many members on the board who did not want to give in to integration. She ran for a third term but was defeated by conservatives. Although she did not win another term, she took her talents to serve many interracial organizations and never stopped fighting for equality in Houston.

She started teaching again, and retired at age 70, and later died in 1993. The Houston Independent School district has never forgotten her legacy as they named the Hattie Mae White Administration Building in her honor.

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Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.

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