A senate RESOLUTION

 

to recognize and honor Mattie Johnson Anderson Roberson of Richland County for her exemplary career as an educator, civic and church leader, and community advocate.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to learn that Mattie Johnson Anderson Roberson was honored for her exceptional career at the Ward One Reunion Organization's on October 28, 2023; and

 

Whereas, the oldest of six children born to Levi Johnson, Sr., and Estelle Scott Johnson, Mrs. Roberson was reared in the Ward One neighborhood in downtown Columbia.  She attended the Celia Dial Saxon Elementary School and graduated from the Booker T. Washington High School in 1959 where she excelled as a scholar and athlete.  She was a star runner and lettered in track; and

 

Whereas, the first woman to receive an athletic scholarship to South Carolina State College, she took part in a number of sit-in demonstrations and protests challenging racial segregation while a student there.  On March 15, 1960, she joined James E. Clyburn and others in one of the largest student-led demonstrations in the United States, a demonstration that gained national attention; and

 

Whereas, Mrs. Roberson moved to New York City, where she earned an associate degree and a bachelor's degree in teacher education from Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, a master's degree in reading from Long Island University, and a master's degree in administration/supervision from Pace University.  Throughout her twenty-five year career as an educator, she was awarded certifications as a public school teacher, a reading instructor, and a school district administrator; and

 

Whereas, from 1979 to 1987, she taught at the Mahalia Jackson Junior High School in Brooklyn.  For one year after that, she served as a special assistant to a New York City councilwoman.  From 1988 to 2000, she served as the dean of Student Behavior and assistant principal at the Mahalia Jackson School.  In 2002, she was appointed the administrative assistant principal of the Mahalia Jackson School; and

 

Whereas, Mrs. Roberson served as National Grand Matron in the Order of Eastern Stars, a board member of the National Council of Negro Women, on the board of directors of Alonzo Players, a board member of Dr. Susan McKinney Nursing Home in Brooklyn, and a director of the Fenimore Senior Citizen's Center in Brooklyn, and she was a member of the National Reading Association; and

 

Whereas, upon her retirement, she returned to Columbia where she served as regional chair of the AARP, taking part in the Voices of the Civil Rights Movement oral history initiative; and 

 

Whereas, a former resident of Assembly and Marion streets in Columbia, Mrs. Roberson joined the Ward One Reunion Organization and served many years as its president.  She worked closely with the University of South Carolina, Columbia SC 63, and the Historic Columbia Foundation to be sure that the history of her neighborhood was preserved and documented in classes, programs, historic markers, publications, exhibits, and a permanent installation in the Palmetto Compress Building; and

 

Whereas, she was an active member of the United Family Reunion for descendants and related families of the Lang Syne Plantation in Ft. Motte.  She served on the Education Committee of Union Baptist Church and Anniversary Committee and Executive Board of the Bibleway Church of Atlas Road; and

 

Whereas, Mrs. Roberson is the widow of Eugene Anderson and Ray Roland Roberson, Jr., and she is the devoted mother of Rhonda Anderson and Latasha Anderson; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate values the tireless dedication to career and community of citizens like Mattie Roberson, and the members are grateful for the pride and recognition she has brought to her community and to the Palmetto State.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor Mattie Johnson Anderson Roberson of Richland County for her exemplary career as an educator, civic and church leader, and community advocate.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mattie Johnson Anderson Roberson.

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