The News and Courier February 22, 1953
The News and Courier February 22, 1953
Who is Jennie Moore?
By Phyllis Eubanks
An enduring testimonial of good faith and gratitude for her 18 years of civic duty has been conferred upon one of Mount Pleasant’s most public spirited citizens, Mrs. W. Moultrie Moore.
In her honor, the nearly completed Negro elementary school on Hamlin Road has been named the Jennie Moore School, it was disclosed here today.
A petition addressed to the Board of Trustees and initiated by the principals of the Negro elementary schools in Moultrie School District No. 2 requested that “this school be honored by the name of an individual who, we feel, has rendered the most unselfish, untiring and sincere efforts towards the educational, social and cultural growth of our Negro youth. We request that in honor of this outstanding citizen, our school be named the Jennie Moore School.”
It was signed by C.E. Thornton, H.H. Swinton, Miriam M. Brown, Elise J. Ward, Benjamin E. Bailey, William H. Swinton and Mattie W. Jamison, and was approved unanimously by the board.
An energetic, practical-minded woman of 70, Mrs. Moore has been board secretary since 1935.
“I feel highly complimented,” she declared. “Always I have been deeply interested in the advancement of the Negro schools and have worked closely with the principals, visiting the schools and helping with what problems I could.”
She described as “dreams come true” the new elementary school and the new Laing High School, now under construction. In telling of her activities, friends of slight, gray haired “Miss Jennie” recalled scores of kindnesses which have helped endear her to Negro citizens.
Calvin E. Thornton, who has been named principal of the new elementary school, said, “The people here are enthusiastic in naming the school for Mrs. Moore for they well know the years she has so generously devoted to their welfare.”
Mrs. Miriam Brown, a teacher for 26 years, has this to say: “Whenever anything disturbs us, she is always ready to listen and never too busy to try to help.”
The new consolidated elementary school will provide accommodations for 650 students attending the first through sixth grades. Located in the center of the Negro school district, seven miles north of Mount Pleasant, it will replace the Gregorie, Seven Mile, Four Mile, Phillips and Long Point grammar schools.
The building, which is of cement block construction with brick veneer, should be ready for occupancy by March 1. Designed and constructed at a cost of approximately $249,000, the structure measures 341 feet in length and 55 feet in width, with a wing 171 feet long.