CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sarah Mingo Stevenson, a civil rights activist and the first Black woman to serve on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, died this week at the age of 97, her sister said.
Stevenson became the first Black woman elected to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board in 1980 and efforted the desegregation of the city's public schools throughout the 1970s.
The following message was posted to Stevenson's platform, Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum:
She was the first-born child of a preacher. Yes, yes.
'She grew up on a farm, with roots deep in rural 20th Century Carolinas. Yes, yes.
She fought to educate every child for decades after she had been denied the completion of hers. Yes, yes.
She insisted on civility and love because she learned at the knee of her loving mother. Yes, yes.
South African young people called their visitor Queen Go Go, because she just did, all the time. Yes, yes.
She devoted her life to family and to community and to church. Yes, yes.
She didn’t sweat the details, except for what went into her morning cup of coffee. Yes, yes.
She turned the attention bestowed on her to a purpose, raising money for community projects. Yes, yes.
She taught hundreds the obligation of giving back, and the value and joy in doing so. Yes, yes.
She’s gone now, but won’t soon be forgotten. Yes, yes.'
Stevenson's sister, Elloree Erwin, announced a celebration of life will be held during the Forum's next meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at 8:30 a.m. at the Belmont Center on Parkwood Avenue in Charlotte. Anyone who wishes to share memories of Stevenson can do so during this celebration.
Stevenson's funeral service will be held at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on Thursday, Oct. 5 at 1 p.m.