User:Thelema12/Alberta Henry

Alberta Henry
Born	(1920-10-14)October 14, 1920
Died	May 11, 2005(2005-05-11) (aged 84)
Organization	Salt Lake City NAACP
Title	President
Successor	Jeanetta Williams

Alberta Mae Hill Henry (October 14, 1920 - May 11, 2005) was an educator, civil rights leader and civic leader in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was persident of the Salt Lake chapter of the NAACP from 1980 to 1992.

was born in She was born in Hosston, LouisianaLouisiana in 1920 moved to Salt Lake City in 1949 Salt Lake City School District hired her as a mentor She started the Alberta Henry Education Foundation to award scholarships for low income and minority students She also started the Rainbow Honor Society to recognize and support students of color. She was elected president of the Salt Lake National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the NAACP, and she served in that position for 12 years. received an honorary doctorate from the University of Utah — the first African-American to receive this honor at the university received her bachelor's degree from the University of Utah

Alberta Henry, the first hire, was the first black person to ever work for Salt Lake City School District. Her title was “minority consultant,” and she served mainly as a liaison between the district and the black community. she didn’t have a college degree (she didn’t until 1980). The superintendent gave Henry contracts to go to other states and recruit black teachers. Two years in, she had hired 25. Thomas gave every principal $20 to have coffee with Henry and get to know her. Staff had monthly meetings at black restaurants. Before Henry came on, he said, about 2 percent of the student body was black. But that group had an 80 percent dropout rate. By the time she left in 1986, the dropout rate was 11 percent. In 1975, Henry told The Tribune: “My primary concern is seeing that anyone, any color, gets an education if he or she wants one.” She later served at president of the NAACP in Salt Lake City, from 1980 until 1992, and died in 2005.

1920 ~ 2005 Alberta Mae Hill Henry, 84 passed away May 11, 2005 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  to James Hudson Hill and Julia Palmer Hill Brantley. She graduated from the University of Utah. She married Harold L. Henry on November 17, 1950 in Ogden, Utah. Alberta Henry moved to Utah from Kansas in 1949.  She worked for and lived with Helen and Wally Sandack. She collected dimes and quarters to establish the Alberta Henry Education Foundation. She took a teachers aide job with Salt Lake Headstart in 1967 and later worked as an administrator for the Salt Lake City School District. She was president of the Salt Lake Branch of the NAACP for 12 years. She leaves to mourn her passing daughter Julia (Gilbert) Leyba, Jr., brother David Hill, special niece Marion Hill, grandchildren Patrice Dechambeau, Daniel Cosby, Denitra Cosby, Adria Leyba, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Preceded in death by her husband Harold Lloyd Henry, son Wendell L. Henry, sisters, Rosetta Martin and Nevada Moore. 

The Alberta Henry Education Foundation.

Alberta Henry, Champion of Racial and Educational Equity 1920-2005 Alberta Henry illustration by Brooke Smart “Fairness must work in every kind of way.” BY DR. KATHLEEN CHRISTY

Nothing that was unfair went unnoticed by Alberta Henry. A feisty woman of small stature who played a major role in the fight for fairness and racial equality in Salt Lake City, Alberta was one who recognized problems of racial injustice and worked to solve them in many different arenas and in every kind of way. Alberta was an educator, community activist, and longtime President of the Salt Lake NAACP who gained the reputation as one of Utah’s most noteworthy community leaders.

Alberta Henry at the Utah Democratic Convention. Courtesy of Alberta Henry papers, Special Collections, University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library.

Alberta Henry was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on October 14, 1920, to Julia and James Hill. She was one of four children, three girls and a boy. At that time, Alberta’s parents were sharecroppers on a farm in a small town near Shreveport. As a young girl, Alberta, would observe her mother Julia’s spirit and courage in standing up for what was right. Julia did not have a problem with speaking out against injustice. Alberta’s only brother, David once described how she was much like their mother; “aggressive, authoritative, and usually right.”[1] Throughout her life, Alberta utilized her mother’s characteristics to address fairness and seek better opportunities for Black people.

Wanting their children to get a better education than what was available to them in Louisiana, Alberta’s parents moved the family to Topeka, Kansas in 1923. There, Alberta attended school and did quite well. As a young teen, Alberta and a friend were given a ride to a football game and the car they were in was hit by a drunk driver. Alberta suffered an injury to her face and eye and had to be taken to the hospital. Here, even with her serious medical needs, she noticed the absence of Black doctors and demanded to be seen by one. This was a clear example of Alberta’s ability to address fairness and racial injustice, speak out and seek opportunities for Black people. Although her grandmother Susie Barnes predicted it, Alberta had no idea that community activism and fighting for injustice would be her life’s work.

After graduating from high school in 1939, Alberta attended the Youth Works Project Administration where she learned skills in cleaning, cooking, sewing, and shopping. Through her friendship connections, Alberta landed a job working in a theater. Working as a cashier, she soon became an assistant manager. While working at the theater she was introduced to a friend’s cousin, Gooch, the man she married in 1941. Gooch was in the Army and they soon relocated to San Luis Obispo, California. After Gooch left the army, the couple moved back to Topeka and invested in a small café.

Alberta Henry. Courtesy of Alberta Henry papers, Special Collections, University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library.

Alberta suffered a sudden and near fatal appendix rupture in 1948 that caused a scare for her family. Uncertain of her recovery, she was cared for by her doctor, friends, and family for over six months. Alberta was also a woman of faith. As a young woman she had attended her grandfather’s church and taught Sunday School, and she longed to be a missionary to help others in Africa. During her recovery, Alberta received a vision and message from the Lord assuring her that she would not die because there was work for her to do. Little did she know at the time that the work was in Utah!

Soon after recovering enough to get back to work in the café, Alberta divorced Gooch and was invited by a friend to move to Salt Lake City. In 1949, Alberta headed to Utah for a visit, intending to stay only a few weeks. However, she felt drawn to Utah and soon realized this was where she was supposed to be.

After settling in her new environment, Alberta began searching for a job in Salt Lake City. Facing racial discrimination in her job search and an explicit “we don’t hire coloreds” from many employers, Alberta soon found work as a housekeeper. Domestic service work was basically the only job open to women of color at that time. Alberta was hired by Helen and Wally Sandack and soon became an integral part of their family. The Porters ’and Waiters’ Club in Ogden was a popular social outlet for Blacks during this time. Here she met Harold Henry. They were married in 1950 and later adopted two children, Wendell and Julia.

Alberta Henry campaigning. Courtesy of Alberta Henry papers, Special Collections, University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library.

Staying grounded in her religious faith, Alberta attended church at Pilgrim Baptist Church and began her long desired missionary work. She was ultimately elected President of the Utah and Idaho Missionary Society. Alberta learned many skills through her experiences and keen observation. As she moved about the community, her commitment to fairness in every kind of way allowed her to use her talents to problem solve and fight the discrimination she observed. However difficult the challenges that Alberta confronted, her faith strengthened her understanding that she had a purpose in Salt Lake City, one of addressing fairness and seeking better opportunities for Black people. She later joined Calvary Baptist Church and continued her missionary and civic work there.

In the early 1960s, Alberta noticed the educational issues of Black students. Recognizing the need for more students to graduate high school and go to college, she focused on finding scholarships to help pay for educational expenses. Her ability to problem-solve enabled her to bring together people from different sectors including churches and wealthy businessmen in the community to raise funds for college expenses. This project led to the development of a more formal organization which the donors insisted be named after her. Thus, the Alberta Henry Education Foundation was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1967. This organization awarded scholarships for low income and minority students in the community.

Alberta Henry (left) speaking at the Salt Lake City NAACP in 1977. Courtesy of Alberta Henry papers, Special Collections, University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library.

Alberta’s involvement in her church and education arenas provided connections that would have lasting effects. Her friendship with Mignon Richmond, a prominent leader in the Black community and the first African American woman to graduate from a college in Utah, opened doors and opportunities for her in a broader sense. Alberta immediately became involved in the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and worked with the youth to support their educational endeavors as well as promoting ways for students to have a positive self-image. She formed the “Soul Sisters Drill Team,” who went on to win regional awards within the NAACP organization.[2] This was another example of Alberta’s ability to create opportunities for others and problem-solve for the community.

Alberta soon gained more community support and recognition for her quick response and problem-solving abilities. In 1967, Alberta was hired as an aide for the Head Start program in Salt Lake City where she proved to be a very capable and skillful aide. Although she didn’t have a college degree or formal training, she was given her own classroom to teach. Her involvement in education and her responsiveness to the community led to her being appointed to various civic and educational committees. When the University of Utah extended an invitation for her to accept an honorary doctorate from the university in 1971, she became the first Black person to receive such an honor at that institution.[3]

Alberta Henry (right), Utah Governor Calvin Rampton, and unidentified girl and woman. Courtesy of Alberta Henry papers, Special Collections, University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library.

Alberta continued her work addressing concerns of fairness throughout the community. Once again, she turned her attention to the difficulties Black students were having in schools. In 1972, when the Salt Lake City School District was dealing with a racial incident at one of the schools that caused community unrest, Alberta was summoned by community members to help. In addition to other racial issues, there was concern that there weren’t black teachers in the district. Her commitment to equal education opportunities continued to motivate and energize her. In a Salt Lake Tribune article in 1975, Alberta said,” My primary concern is seeing that anyone, any color, gets an education if he or she wants one.”[4]

By 1980, the Salt Lake City School District Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Donald Thomas, hired Alberta as a liaison between the district and the Black community. She was the first African American employed by the district. In addition to continuing to resolve issues between the schools and the community, one of her first tasks was to start recruiting black teachers. Once these teachers were hired, Alberta met with them monthly to provide support and mentorship. Not only was Alberta a champion for Black teachers across the school district, she recognized the need for Black students to receive encouragement and recognition for their achievements. She established a Black Honor Society organization for high school students. Recognizing the need to be more inclusive of other students of color, the organization was later changed to the Rainbow Honor Society and provided resources and enrichment opportunities such as travel to out-of-state events.

Alberta Henry at University of Utah graduation. Courtesy of Alberta Henry papers, Special Collections, University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library.

Recognizing Alberta’s value to the district, Dr. Thomas encouraged Alberta to obtain her bachelor’s degree to enhance her work. Alberta earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1982 from the University of Utah. Alberta’s reputation for fairness and justice was demonstrated in the many disputes and conflicts that she helped to resolve. As she moved about the community, she always insisted on hearing all perspectives. It was her practice to create understanding on all sides of the issue, as she had said, “Fairness must work every kind of way.”[5] Alberta retired from the district in 1986, but she continued to influence issues of fairness and justice in many ways and in different arenas. She served on numerous boards and committees throughout the state, as well as serving as President of the Salt Lake Chapter of the NAACP for 12 years.

Alberta died of cancer in 2005, but her legacy continues today. The Alberta Henry Scholarship Foundation is still providing resources for low income and Black students and has provided scholarships and resources for hundreds of students. Utah is a better place for all because of Alberta’s dedication to fairness and justice.

Other accomplishments and board memberships of Alberta Henry:

U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Governor’s Black Policy Advisory Committee Traveler’s Aid Society Utah Endowment for the Humanities Delegate to the Democratic National Convention, 1976 Brookings Institute First Black elected to the Utah Women’s Hall of Fame Dr. Kathleen Christy is a retired educator of 42 years. She has served as a classroom teacher and administrator. Her passion for educational equity has guided her career and accomplishments, resulting in her receiving numerous awards and recognition.

Click here to see records in the Utah Archives related to Alberta Henry’s work.

Footnotes

[1] Salt Lake Tribune. February 24, 1995.

[2] Whitley, Colleen. (2000). Alberta Mae Hill Gooch Henry (1920-): “Feed My Sheep” in Worth Their Salt, Too. University Press of Colorado, Utah State University Press.

[3] ibid

[4] Davis, France. (1997). Light in the Midst of Zion, A History of Black Baptists in Utah. Empire Publishing.

[5] Worth Their Salt.

SOURCES Deborah Bulkeley, "Activist Alberta Henry Dies at Age 84," Deseret News, 12 May 2005. "Highlights from the Archive: Alberta Henry," Aileen H. Clyde 20th Century Women's Legacy Archive "Alberta Henry," Utah Women's Walk. Courtney Tanner, "Challenging segregation, clashing with the LDS Church, fighting racism today: The first 100 years of the NAACP in Utah," The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 February 2019.