100th Woman in Congress is Retired Bennett Professor

Student Government Association President Alexis Anderson, Retired Bennett College Professor and Congresswoman Alma Adams and President Rosalind Fuse-Hall participated in the “March to the Polls.”

We did it and there is no stopping us now,” said Congresswoman Alma Adams, the 100th woman to serve in Congress. Adams won 75% of the vote to win the 12th Congressional District seat in Congress.

A visible and strong voice in the community and beyond, Adams served 40 years as a professor of art at Bennett College. During that time, she spearheaded the renovation and opening of the Bennett College Steele Hall Art Gallery. As an advocate for education, Adams created opportunities for students to receive much needed scholarship support through The North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Foundation and with The Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship for Outreach and Health Communications funded by the American Legacy Foundation.

As an activist and elected official, Adams created a legacy of “Bennett Belles are Voting Belles.” As she heads to Washington, DC to complete the remainder of Mel Watt’s unexpired term and in January 2015, begin the term of the 114th Congress, we can be assured a seat and voice at the table. During her acceptance speech, Adams said, “Effective immediately, our district has a representative who will fight for their interest with pride, integrity and tenacity.”

Bennett College has a history of social and civic engagement and producing political leaders. Alumna Gladys Robinson, ’71 ran unopposed to keep her seat in the N.C. Senate representing District 28. Serving as Executive Director for Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency for 30 years, Robinson’s goal is to improve the economy, education, and healthcare. Robinson has also served as president of the Bennett College National Alumnae Association.

Another Bennett graduate who has lived a life of service is Yvonne Johnson, ’64. Mayor Pro Tem Johnson is a member of the Greensboro City Council and has served for 19 years, twice as Mayor Pro Tem. In 2007, she made history by becoming Greensboro’s first African American Mayor.

Source: Bennett College