Highlighting a Curator of Black Culture, Senator Geraldine Thompson

Geraldine Thompson, 66, is a supporter of black history and the arts. She voices her opinion through legislation, community work and advocates for the curation of black art and history.

Florida Senator Geraldine Thompson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in November of 1948 yet she grew up in Perrine, Florida which is in South Dade County.  She graduated from a segregated high school, May High School and then attended Miami Dade College where she earned her A.A. in 1968. In 1970 she received her B.Ed. in 1970 from the University of Miami and later moved to Tallahassee with her husband where he attended law school. Throughout a part of the couple’s time in Tallahassee she worked for Gwendolyn Sawyer Cherry who was the first African American women to serve as a part of the Florida House of Representatives.

Leading Ladies Women in Executive Leadership on "The Hill" Panel Discussion: "Tell It On Tuesday"

  Yesterday in celebration of National Women's History Month I attended an event on campus titled "Leading Ladies" which was the first in a series of events which FAMU’s first woman president, President Elmira Mangum and her team have planned for this month.

The panel discussion was moderated by one of my favorite professors within the School of Journalism, Dr. Bettye Grable. She began the event introducing that we were privileged to hear and witness thoughts on the personal and professional lives of four women on “The Hill”. She also stated that women like Sojourner Truth and Maya Angelou represent beacons of what leadership, intellect and womanhood has looked like throughout history.

After this, the four panelists were introduced: President Elmira Mangum, Provost Marcella David J.D., Dr. Valencia Mattews (Dean, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities), Dr. Barbara Barnes (Vice President of Academic Affairs).

Throughout the event a series of questions were asked about the individuals and their journey to leadership. I truly enjoyed this event because it shed light on what it takes for women to overcome economic disadvantages, hardship, sexism and racism to attain their dreams and go after what they are passionate about.