AFAM NEWSLETTER AFRICAN AND AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES African & African American Studies East Tennessee State University Vol. II Fall 2006 No. 3 AFAM Graduate’s History-Making FACultY NEWS Term of Office Ends Mary Alexander, an ETSU graduate with a concentration in history and African American Studies, became the first African American to be elected to the Washington County Commission. As County Commissioner, she Marcia Songer Elwood Watson represented the 4th District, from 2002 to 2006. When she was Marcia Songer, Assistant Pro- Mary Alexander elected in 2002, she said that she fessor of English and Associate had “no long-term plans for politics.” She added that she would Director of the University Hon- “take it as it comes.” Although Ms. Alexander decided not to ors Program, teaches African run for reelection in 2006, she said that she had not ruled out running for political office in the future. Ms. Alexander Literature in the AFAM Pro- served on many committees during her tenure on the County gram. Her article, “The Ultimate Commission, including her chairmanship of the Education Penance of Brother Cadfael,” Committee and membership on the Rules Committee and appeared in Clues 23-4 (2005), Library Board. Her work on the Education Committee was 63-68. especially important to her because she believes that education is the key to making progress in every field. She said that Elwood Watson, Associate the attraction of new businesses and the retention of existing Professor of History, co-edited businesses in the Northeast Tennessee region are examples of the importance of education, because businesses depend on a with Darcy Martin, There She well educated and qualified workforce. Ms. Alexander’s work Is, Miss America, published by in improving the County’s educational system will continue Palgrave Macmillan in August under her leadership of the Langston Heritage Group in 2004. Watson teaches various Washington County and through her role as a history teacher courses in the AFAM minor, at ETSU and area institutions. Ms. Alexander earned her M.A. including African American degree in history, with an emphasis on African American Studies in December 2001. Culture Since World War II. FACultY NEWS A SCHOLARSHIP TO BE ADDED TO THE AFAM PROGRAM In 2005 a scholarship committee, consisting of community leaders, former AFAM graduates, and ETSU faculty, was formed. At its last meeting, in the spring of 2006, the committee voted to name the AFAM scholarship in honor of the late Mrs. Betty Hill Goah. Although she was born in Laurens, South Carolina, Mrs. Goah was a lifetime resident of Johnson City. She dedicated her life to improving the quality of life for others in her immediate community and the region. Her many contributions to the community included her service on the Johnson City Development Authority; Johnson City Downtown Clinic; Drinkard was one of several speakers Appalachian Community Fund, Knoxville, Tennessee; Tennessee who addressed residents assembled at Regional Health Department; Washington County Health Department; Austin’s new City Hall on January 12, Greater Kingsport Ministerial Alliance; and the Commission on 2005, to honor James L. Farmer, Jr. Religion in Appalachia. The following article by Adam G. Dickson provides a fuller appreciation of Mrs. Goah’s life and work. A Tribute to Betty Hill Goah Dorothy Drinkard-Hawk- By Adam G. Dickson shawe, Director of AFAM and The death of Mrs. Betty Hill Goah stunned many Professor of History, was one in the Johnson City community. From a spiritual of the speakers at Austin, perspective one understands that death is an inevi- Texas City Hall, where Mayor table fact of life. But what was so hurtful was that Wynn declared January 12, Mrs. Betty had open heart surgery, and many subse- 2005 James L. Farmer, Jr. quent surgeries, and through it all it seemed as if she Day. Farmer lived in Austin, would slowly but surely recover. But on Wednesday from age 5 to age 13. Farmer Adam G. Dickson morning, March 8, 2006, at 6 A.M. while on a busi- was the principal founder ness trip in Dallas, I received a phone call from NAACP president and good friend Ralph Davis telling me the sad news. Since that moment, I have found myself thinking about her strength, determination, and how privileged I was to know her as a colleague, mentor, and friend. Betty Hill Goah was a unique character who deserves some anal- ysis. One unique characteristic that Mrs. Betty possessed was that from a young woman up to her passing, she was a committed public servant. She was a principal planner of a demonstration where stu- dents of the “colored” Langston High School marched to Science Hill High School to protest the segregation in the Johnson City school system. She and my father, Fred Dickson, worked for the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) during the Lyndon B. Johnson adminis- Speakers who received signed copies tration. Her service work continued with the Neighborhood Service of Mayor Will Wynn’s Proclamation, Center and the Tennessee Hunger Coalition. Mrs. Betty’s legacy, honoring James L. Farmer, Jr., were however, will be her role as founder and coordinator of the North- Texas Representative Dawnna Dukes; Dr. Detine Bowers, leader of the east Tennessee Minority Health Community Development Coalition. James Farmer Day Movement; Dr. She took an issue of such importance and reality and demanded that Don Carlton, Director of The Center the black Tri-Cities community realize the state of our health and for American History, University take proactive, preventive measures to improve our health. She and of Texas, Austin where the official her colleague, now successor, Margaret Davis, traveled extensively Farmer Papers are housed; and Dr. to receive training so that they could educate the black communi- Dorothy Drinkard-Hawkshawe, ty through the churches on issues such as heart disease, diabetes, Farmer’s biographer (back row). and stroke. Not every church in the community has accepted the 2 African & African American Studies health training, but that never deterred Mrs. Betty. And because of her persistence, many black church congregations understand the THE 2005-2006 importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Another unique characteristic of Mrs. Betty was her position as AFAM PROGRAM a strong woman. Mrs. Betty was an outspoken woman whom I re- spected deeply. Having a mother and sister who are both strong IN REVIEW women, I had no problem with Mrs. Betty’s strong-at-times tone. But I am sure that some men, especially the fraternal, machismo- Courses entrenched male, could not accept her administrative, take-charge The 2005-2006 academic year demeanor. Some men have notions that women are to live silent was a great success. Twenty-four lives and only speak when spoken to. Mrs. Betty never aligned with hours of coursework were offered this notion. She, along with compatriot Mrs. Ann McConnell, played during the fall 2005 semester and a landmark role in addressing a wide variety of community develop- an additional twenty-four hours ment issues in Johnson City and the East Tennessee region. These of coursework were offered dur- women deserve recognition because they are local examples of many ing the spring 2006 semester, nationally-known black women such as Fannie Lou Hamer, Ella Bak- making a total of forty-eight se- er, and Mary Church Terrell, who led with courage and conviction. mester hours and sixteen courses Because we tend to focus solely on Martin Luther King, Roy Wilkins, offered through the departments and other outstanding male leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, of history, geography, criminal we seem to forget the mothers and housewives who made many sac- justice, English, political science, rifices to create a truly inclusive community. music, and foreign languages. Since Mrs. Betty’s passing, many have speculated about the fu- ture of the black community in the region. As a new generation of Lectures black leadership develops in the area, it is hoped that the follow- ing principles exemplified by Mrs. Betty Hill Goah will be followed. First, develop and sustain a commitment to public service. Second, as a public servant, always maintain a standard of character and integrity in dealing with the public. Third, – and probably most im- portant for our time – in dealing with the many racial disparities that exist in our country (housing, health status, wealth accumulation, etc.), the new leadership must research, present, and enact positive and proactive solutions that ultimately unite all factions within the community toward constructive change. Mrs. Betty’s funeral was Wesley, Drinkard-Harkshawe, with three hours long and jam-packed, standing room only. If we truly Sullivan County Middle School want to honor Mrs. Betty’s memory, let us take these principles and students and faculty her legacy and get to work. Distinguished speakers from Dickson is an ETSU graduate. He teaches Black American myriad walks of life graced the Political Thought in the Political Science Department. ETSU campus during the 2005- 2006 academic year, and their The first Betty Hill Goah AFAM Scholarship will be awarded messages were also taken into the in the fall of 2006. Students who wish to apply for the scholarship community. John Milton Wesley, should send a letter of interest to: Mississippi-born writer and poet, read his poetry to a large audience AFAM Program; c/o Dr. Drinkard-Hawkshawe in the Carroll Reece Museum on East Tennessee State University; Box 70672 September 15, 2005, and shared Johnson City, Tennessee 37614 with them his memories of Em- Interested persons may also call 423-439-6688 for more information. mett Till’s Money, Mississippi, lynching, which took place fifty To make a tax-deductible contribution to the Goah AFAM years ago.