Elaine M. Aber

Elaine M. Aber was the first white student to graduate from Lincoln University. She later joined Alpha Kappa Alpha, becoming one of the first whites in Jefferson City to join a predominately African American sorority. She graduated with a Master’s degree in Education from Lincoln University and later a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Aber worked as a counselor for the Missouri State of Employment Services until she retired in 1985. One of her greatest professional accomplishments was being published in the Journal of Educational Sociology February 1959 for her article, “A Reverse Pattern of Integration”. She achieved much success due to her ability to work in a diverse environment.

Margaret Bush Wilson

Margaret Bush Wilson was a woman of highly exceptional stature. Bush accomplished much in her life; the most prominent being the first female on the N.A.A.C.P. national board of Directors. Much of her career consisted of civil rights and urban development. Before Mrs. Bush focused on her civil rights path, she was valedictorian of her graduating high school class. After completing her high school career, she began to study abroad, traveling to over six countries. These included: England, France, Ceylon, Japan, the Hawaiian Islands and her most extraordinary visit to India. Here Margaret met and spoke with Mahatma Gandhi which fueled her passion of the civil rights movement in the United States. Mrs. Bush pursued a law degree at Lincoln University Law School after completing her Bachelor’s at Talladega University. On top of her extraordinary accomplishments, Margaret Bush possessed the unique quality of appearing 10 years younger than her real age, reflecting her strong spirit and compassion towards humanity.

Carolyn Banner

Carolyn had a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Langston University and a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Development from the University of Minnesota. In 1959 Carolyn came to Lincoln as acting principal of the laboratory Elementary School and Supervisor of Elementary Student Teaching. She nurtured and taught hundreds of Lincoln’s students to be the finest, most qualified teachers in the country. Once retired she was able to enjoy the many awards that she received through out her years. The awards she received were citations, and honors: AAUW Woman of Achievement Award, and the MUATE Outstanding Teacher Educator Award. She was elected the first Black President of AAUW in 1965. She was appointed to the Mayor’s Census and Redistricting Committee in 1981. On June 21st, 1985 Mayor George Hartsfield declared that day as “Carolyn Banner Day” in Jefferson City. Carolyn Banner retired from Lincoln University in July 1985.

Edna Chavis

As an advocate for the elderly, Edna Chavis has made many improvements for matured people. She worked for the Social Security Administration for eleven years, where she recognized that “older people are the same as anyone else with the same wants and desires.” Since then, she gained educational experience to assist her in understanding the self-concept of older people. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Science and a teaching certificate from Eastern Michigan University in 1972, a Master of Science Degree in Adult Education from Tuskegee Institute in 1975, and a PhD Degree in Social Gerontology and Adult Education from the University of Missouri in 1979. Some of her accomplishments include her position as the head of the Missouri Delegates to the White House Conference on Aging and her lobbying efforts toward Missouri’s first Governor’s Conference on Aging. She was also awarded the Lt. Governor’s Nursing Home Task Force Certificate of Appreciation. As an adjunct instructor at Lincoln University, Chavis emphasizes to her students that aging is a natural process. She has had a great impact on her students, several of whom have continued on related career paths. Following her own advice that “Aging successfully is to never sit down and do nothing,” Chavis continues to teach, work as a gerontologist, and serve on committees within the Department of Health and Senior Services.

Faye Tull Carter

Faye Tull Carter obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Home Economics from Lincoln University in 1938. She also received a graduate degree from Teacher’s College, Columbia University in New York. After graduation, Carter accepted the position as Library Assistant at Lincoln University Laboratory School. Upon receiving a Master’s degree in Library Science (MLS) from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, Carter was appointed the Librarian at Lincoln University Laboratory High School. She was later transferred to the University library, Inman E. Page Library, where she remained until her retirement in 1989. During her years of service, Carter was promoted to the level of Assistant Professor. She taught courses in Library Science and Children’s Literature. Carter’s duties at Inman E. Page Library included creating displays, arranging picture collections and organizing the research material for teachers and students in the Education Department. She also established the Children and Young Adult Literature Collection.

Zelma Lloyd Frank

Dr. Zelma Lloyd Frank was very active in the Jefferson City community and received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Lincoln University. She received her Doctorate in Education at The University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Frank is a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Kappa Delta Pi, and the International and State Association for Children with Learning Disabilities. She was a teaching and reading assistant for elementary students in Missouri, Massachusetts, and New York. She was very active with the Capital City Council on the Arts, Meals on Wheels, St. Mary’s Health Center Auxiliary, and the local High School PTA.

Myrtle Smith Livingston

Myrtle Smith Livingston became a physical education instructor in 1928 at Lincoln University, and while at Lincoln she established several formal athletic programs for female students. Livingston’s contributions made it possible for females to engage in principal sports for the first time. Livingston was also very active as a dancer and formed the first chapter of the Orchesis Group in 1936; the first chapter to be formed at a black college. The group gave both indoor and outdoor performances in tap and interpretive dance. In addition to these activities, she taught first aid to Jefferson City citizens during World War II and wrote several plays during this time period. Livingston’s most famous play, For Unborn Children, was published in the July 1926 issue of The Crisis magazine after winning 3rd prize in a literary competition. The play, which is about miscegenation and lynching, reflects the historical movements that helped shape her generation. Since then, scholars of black drama have recognized the play’s value and have ensured its availability by including it in anthropologies. Livingston died in Hawaii, only one and a half years into her retirement. There is a park named in her honor on Lincoln University’s campus that remains open today. Livingston’s life reflected the movements of her time and her dedication to community centered art.

Althea Gibson

One quote from the famous Venus Williams sums up what Ms. Gibson did for this world, “For players like myself and a lot of other African American players on the tour, Althea Gibson paved the way for us”. Ms. Gibson was the first African American woman to win the Wimbledon and U.S. Championships in 1957, and the French Open and three double titles at Wimbledon in 1958. She worked as the Athletic Director at Lincoln University and, after retiring from tennis, toured with the Harlem Globetrotters.

Yvonne D. Stark - Wilson

Yvonne Wilson is a woman of achievement, accomplishment, and ambition. It all started when she enrolled in Lincoln University; the only public institution for higher education in Missouri that admitted African Americans. She later went on to become a teacher, principal and systems director in the Kansas City School District. Mrs. Wilson was involved in many civic/social activities including the Metropolitan Community Colleges and the Bruce Watkins Cultural Heritage Center. She had many accomplishments including her positions as the President of Lincoln University Board of Curators and the first African American President of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals. Finally, one of her top accomplishments was being appointed to the Missouri House of Representatives.

Ida Ballard Simon

Ida Simon graduated from Lincoln University in 1971. She earned the Master’s of Education Degree from Theological Seminary in New York City. Ida Simon became the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and the Executive Director of the Lincoln University Foundation. She was known for her fundraising activities at Lincoln University.

Harriet Robinson

Born on September 10, 1917, in Jefferson City, Harriet Robinson is a child of two Lincoln University alumni. Robinson and her siblings also attended Lincoln Laboratory School and the University, but she was unable to finish her degree due to the Depression. Robinson worked in retail until she entered a federal re-training program. In 1969 she was hired at Lincoln University as a switchboard operator, and later worked as a library assistant at Page Library. For twenty-three years, Robinson helped students and faculty with their research, retiring in 1992. While at Page Library, she also had other responsibilities, such as keeping the Lincoln Collection. She recognized the historical importance of objects, salvaging things such as the “Blue Tiger” Café Window. Robinson has assisted people working on graduate and doctoral degrees, and several books have been dedicated to her. Her knowledge of Lincoln University is extensive, and many are fortunate that she has always shared her passion for history.

Josephine Silone Yates

Josephine Silone Yates was very active at Lincoln University during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was one of Lincoln University’s best known teachers during this time and was the first woman elected to a professorship with the university. Yates served Lincoln University as the Head of the Department of Natural Science from 1879- 1889 and Head of the Department of English and History from 1902- 1910. Josephine Silone Yates was also very active outside of Lincoln University being elected the first president of the Kansas City Women’s League, which was a women’s club that she helped organize in 1893. She also contributed under the pseudonym R.K. Porter to the Boston Herald and the Los Angeles Herald. Yates was involved with and contributed greatly to the National Association of Colored Women’s Club serving as Vice President from 1887- 1889, Treasurer from 1889- 1900, and President from 1901- 1906.

Ouida Sprye Tolbert

Ouida Tolbert began her career at Lincoln University in 1950 as a Supervisory teacher of English, French, Speech, and Drama in the Laboratory High School and as an Associate Professor in the Department of Education. She retired from Lincoln as an Associate Professor of English in 1993. Tolbert was a mentor, role model, and life-long educator. Her dedication to pedagogy and passionate attitude touched many of her students’ and colleagues’ lives. She still contributes to the educating community today.

Hazel McDaniel Teabeau

Hazel McDaniel Teabeau was born in Arkansas in 1892, and she received her BA in English from the University of Kansas in 1915. Her interest in social causes and concern for civil rights are prevalent in her accomplishments. In 1937, she joined the Lincoln University English Department faculty, where she taught for twenty years. While on sabbatical from Lincoln University, Teabeau became the first black woman to enroll at the University of Missouri. She enrolled there at the age of 57 to seek a PhD in Speech and Dramatics, and in 1959 she became the first black woman to receive a doctorate from the University of Missouri.

Annette Digby

Dr. Annette Digby has been an educator of various forms for over 30 years. She believes “we are all learners, and we are all teachers; every moment is a teachable moment.” She was a Lincoln University Professor of Education, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost. She facilitated the change needed to enhance support systems to promote teacher and student success. She also served as President of The Association of Teacher Education.