Alma Harrison Vernon a Woman Pioneers of Amite, Louisiana

Alma Harrison Vernon

There is one African-American woman in Amite, Louisiana that left a legacy for so many in her community. Her name is Alma Harrison Vernon. She was born on April 7, 1923, in Amite, LA., to the late Obie and Carrie Mcknight Harrison.

Mrs. Vernon spent her life educating, empowering and inspiring women throughout the Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes. Mrs. Vernon let her light shine in all that she did and touched. I will never forget the times that I would visit with her and how we spent time talking. She was also an archivist that clipped and saved important newspapers articles about the local black folks that made the news.  She kept very good and detailed records of the churches and community meetings.

Alma Harrison Vernon

Although I didn't have her as a teacher, I still learned so much just by watching and listening to her. She taught my brother Thomas in second grade at Amite Elementary School.  She taught so many of the children in the community.

Alma Harrison Vernon

She received her elementary and high school education in Tangipahoa Parish. She received a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education from Grambling State University. Mrs. Alma H. Vernon was the wife of Rev. Willard Vernon, and she was the President of the Senior Women Auxiliary of the Little Bethel Baptist Church of Amite, Louisiana. She spoke at the National Baptist Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1975. It was the 95th Annual Session of the National Baptist Convention. Her address to the Convention brought many favorable comments, including that of the National President of the Senior Women Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention of American.

While visiting her only daughter Glyniss Vernon Gordon, I had a chance to look through some of the many albums that Mrs. Vernon kept. It was like looking in an archive and I was happy and delighted but not the least surprised of the accomplishments of such an elegant woman whom help shape our community.

One of the awards that I had to make mention of in this blog; is the "Certificate of Appreciation" that was presented to Mrs. Alma Vernon in recognition of an important contribution to the ongoing fight against hatred and intolerance in America.

The name shown above will be added to the Wall of Tolerance in Montgomery, Alabama to provide inspiration to all those who choose to take a stand against hatred. The Certificate of Appreciation was signed by Morris Dees, Founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Morris Dees co-founded the SPLC in 1971 following a successful business and law career. He won a series of groundbreaking civil rights cases that helped integrate government and public institutions. He also severed as finance director for former President Jimmy Carter's campaign in 1976 and for Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern in 1972.

Westside High School Class of 1965

Westside High School in Amite, Louisiana was segregated in 1965. Several of my family members were in this class. My Uncle Herbert Harrell and cousin Oliver Jackson, Sr.,  I would like to thank Luther Tolliver for posting this photograph. Luther graduated with this class as well.

I am happy to see that many African Americans people through out the Tangipahoa & St. Helena parishes community have preserve a part of our history.

Source: Luther Tolliver

Mr. Louis A. Vernon, Architect " The Great Grandson of A Slave

Louis A. Vernon

Louis A.Vernon, architect, was the designer of this present structure. He finished his early training at Mt. Canaan Elementary School, he attended Dillion High School and Southern University. However, his course was interrupted when he was called to serve his country. He returned and finished his course at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

He later returned back to Louisiana as an architect and instructor of mathematic at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. From there he transferred to Wilburforce University in Ohio where he taught architecture until his death. This structure stands a monument to the memory of a brilliant young man who was the great grandson of Robert "Free Bob" Vernon. 

Robert was born in 1832 in Rankin County, Mississippi as a slave. He died July of 1915 in Tangipahoa Parish. He was the father of seventeen children: Willie, Riley, Georgia, Lula, Jim, Nancy, Isaac, John, Florence, Emma, Guy, Sam, Owen, Toby Stamp, Anna, Lettie, and Robert Vernon, III. 

Robert "Free Bob" Vernon
A Former Slave 

He watched as his first wife and sons were sold off as slaves on a plantation in Mississippi. Robert worked hard to purchase his freedom. He later moved to Louisiana where his father Robert Vernon lived. He built a cabin on one hundred and sixty acres; his father told him that if he worked hard to cultivate the land for five years, he could become the owner of the land. Robert took the challenges on and began working hard on two plots of land. 

Source: Booklet of Glyniss Vernon Gordon. The book didn't indicate what building and where it is located.