Edna Wilson-Mosley facts for kids

Edna Wilson-Mosley (1925 – 2014) was an important leader. She was a politician, a civil rights activist, and an educator. She lived in Denver and Aurora, Colorado. Edna worked to make things fair for everyone. She was also one of the few Black founders of Women's Bank. Her husband, John Mosley, was a respected Tuskegee Airman.

Who Was Edna Wilson-Mosley?

Edna Wilson-Mosley was a strong voice for justice. She worked hard to create equal opportunities. Her life showed how one person can make a big difference. She helped shape her community in many ways.

Her Early Life and Education

Edna Wilson was born on May 31, 1925, in Helena, Arkansas. Her mother, grandmother, daughter, and a granddaughter were all named Edna. Her sister-in-law was the mother of Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

She went to Manual High School. Later, she attended the University of Northern Colorado in 1943. During World War II, she worked in factories that made things for the war.

In 1965, Edna and her husband moved to Aurora. Her husband, John, was transferred to Lowry Air Force Base. They had four children together.

Edna went back to college later in life. She graduated from Metropolitan State College in 1969. She was 44 years old, a mother, and had a career. This made her a "non-traditional" student.

Fighting for Fairness and Equality

Edna Wilson-Mosley dedicated her life to civil rights. She worked to ensure everyone was treated fairly. Her actions helped many people in Colorado.

Standing Up for What's Right

In 1954, Edna visited family in Helena, Arkansas. On her way back to Denver, a white man told her family to leave the train platform. Edna refused to go. She spent the night in jail for standing up for herself. This event made her even more determined. It fueled her lifelong fight for racial equality.

From 1969 to 1974, Edna worked for the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. She helped people understand their rights. She also worked for the Colorado State Department of Personnel. There, she helped make sure jobs were given fairly. Later, she became the affirmative action director at the University of Denver.

Helping Women and the Community

Edna Wilson-Mosley helped start The Women's Bank. Today, it is called Colorado Business Bank. In 1975, she borrowed $1,000 to help fund this new bank. At that time, it was hard for women to get bank accounts. They often needed their husbands' permission. Edna wanted to change this. She wanted to give women more financial opportunities.

She worked with 49 other people to raise money. They collected $50,000 to open the bank. Edna was the only African American on the founding team.

In 1991, Edna made history again. She became the first Black city council member in Aurora, Colorado. She served on the council for 12 years. As a council member, she worked on many important issues. She supported programs to prevent gangs. She also helped pass local safety laws about guns. And she continued her efforts for racial equality.

Making a Difference in Her Community

Edna Wilson-Mosley was very active in her community. She was a member of many groups. These groups worked to improve life for everyone. She was part of:

• Women's Forum Colorado
• Denver/Nairobi Sister City Committee (co-chairman)
• Denver Sister Cities International (President)
• Board of directors and founding member, Women's Bank NA Denver
• National Social Action Community
• Life member, Delta Sigma Theta sorority
• Director, Higher Education Affirmative Action
• National Association of Affirmative Action Officers
• Colorado Black Women Political Action
• Delta Sigma Theta Denver Alumnae Chapter
• Director, Fitzsimmons Redevelopment Authority
• Director, Aurora Economic Development Council
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

Honoring Her Legacy

Edna Wilson-Mosley passed away on August 26, 2014. Her work and dedication left a lasting impact.

Awards and Tributes

Edna received many awards for her hard work. Some of these include:

• 1977 - Lola M. Parker Achievement Award, Iota Phi Lambda Far Western region
• 1978 - Headliner Award, Women in Communications, Inc.
• 1978 - Appreciation Award, National Association of Black Accountants
• 1979 - Distinguished Service Award, International Student Organizations at the University of Denver
• 1984 - Businesswoman of the Year, Aurora Area Business and Professional Women
• 1986 - Distinguished Alumnus, Metropolitan State College
• 1988 - Humanitarian Award, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission
• 1989 - Juanita Gray Community Service Award
• 1992 - Blacks in Colorado Hall of Fame Inductee
• 2004 - Honorary doctorate from Colorado State University

In 2020, the Central Park neighborhood was renamed. Mosley was one of the names considered. Also, Aurora Public Schools opened the Edna and John W. Mosley P-8 school. This school opened on October 1, 2015.

The Mosley Scholarship Fund

After many years of serving the community, friends wanted to thank the Mosleys. They raised money for the couple to go on a vacation. But the Mosleys had a different idea. They agreed to accept the money only if they could use it to start a scholarship fund.

Since 2002, this scholarship has helped many African American students. It has given out $28,000 in scholarships. Students must be African American and want to go to college. They also need a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The scholarship looks for students who are leaders and work hard. This scholarship fund is now the largest and oldest community fund in Colorado.

When John Mosley passed away, his family asked for donations to the scholarship fund. This honored his goal of helping African American students.