| Sources |
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 15 Feb 2014.
Edmond’s road to success began in Rosenwald School
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Tanner Preservation Alliance continues its work to rescue and preserve the historic Tanner School, one of the few Rosenwald Schools remaining in America. Many students of the institution used the knowledge and wisdom gained there as springboards for success in many areas of life. Many students chose to leave Cocke County and pursue their careers elsewhere, but took with them fond memories of their days at Tanner. One of these was Mary Ann Dykes Edmond, who shares her story and memories today. In observance of Black History Month, the Tanner Preservation Alliance has shared these memories with us.
Mary Ann (Dykes) Edmond, Newport native, was recently inducted into the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church “Laity Hall of Fame,” one of many awards and honors she credits to the rich education and community involvement and support she received as a child in Cocke County. She proudly calls herself a “Rosenwald Scholar” and began her education at Rosenwald #11 at Gum Springs.
Following her two older sisters, Barbara and Yvonne to school before she was of?cially old enough to enroll, she was overjoyed when legendary educator and community leader “Miss Mae” Leeper allowed her to stay and learn.
“Miss Mae” again taught Mary Ann at Tanner Training School, another Rosenwald School, in Newport, and became one of Mary Ann’s role models, who always demanded excellence from her students.
After graduating as class valedictorian from Tanner in 1954, Mary Ann attended Knoxville College and returned to Tanner as a part-time music teacher in 1957.
She went on to spend an additional 40 years as a teacher, assistant principal, Curriculum Supervisor and Director of Multicultural Education and Gender Equity.
Most of her work was done in the public schools of Grand Rapids, Michigan where she was the first African-American hired to teach music.
Other accomplishments and honors include the 1985 Grand Rapids NBPW Sojourner Truth Award, 1985 Charter Member of Michigan Black History Network, Principal Researcher for the Michigan Bicentennial publication: Pathways to Michigan Black History, 1986 Fulbright Scholar to West Africa, 1993 founder and 19-year chair of Grand Rapids-GA District African Sister City, 1995 Michigan Director of Education for I.B.P.O. Elks and the World, 2000-05 Charter Member and first President of the Michigan Freedom Trail Commission, 2002 Grand Rapids Giant of Giants Award, and 2000 Underground Railroad National Freedom Center Bill Evans. Award.
In 2002, she was named a Queen Mother for her work in Ghana, West Africa. She has also served on the planning committee for the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Committee for the National Park Service.
Currently she continues working on a family history book that will include “fond memories of an African-American in Cocke County” and plans to donate part of the proceeds of the sales to Tanner Preservation Alliance’s efforts to preserve Tanner School.
- [S112] Census, 1940.
Name: Mary Ann Dykes
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1940
Event Place: Newport, Civil District 6, Cocke, Tennessee, United States
Gender: Female
Age: 2
Marital Status: Single
Race (Original): Negro
Race: Negro
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Daughter
Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter
Birthplace: Tennessee
Birth Year (Estimated): 1938
Last Place of Residence:
District: 15-13
Family Number: 59
Sheet Number and Letter: 4A
Line Number: 13
Affiliate Publication Number: T627
Affiliate Film Number: 3881
Digital Folder Number: 005461287
Image Number: 00355
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Percival Dykes M 34 Alabama
Wife Julia N Dykes F 27 Tennessee
Daughter Barbara Joe Dykes F 7 Tennessee
Daughter Yvonne E Dykes F 4 Tennessee
Daughter Mary Ann Dykes F 2 Tennessee
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Abt 1938 - (~ 86 years)
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