Erma Johnson Hadley facts for kids
Erma Johnson Hadley (born June 6, 1942 – died October 1, 2015) was an amazing American educator. She made history as the first woman and the first African-American person to lead Tarrant County College as its chancellor. Her important work was recognized when she was added to the Texas Women's Hall of Fame in 2010.
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Early Life and Education
Erma Johnson Hadley grew up in a town called Leggett, Texas. She was the first black student from her community to graduate from college. She earned her first degree from Prairie View A&M University. Later, she went on to get a special business degree, an MBA, from Bowling Green State University.
A Career in Education
After finishing her studies, Erma Hadley started her career as a teacher at Turner High School in Panola County. In 1968, she became one of the first teachers to work at the Northeast Campus of Tarrant County Junior College. This college later became known as Tarrant County College (TCC). She dedicated many years to TCC. In 2009, she was chosen to be the temporary leader, or interim chancellor, of TCC. The very next year, she officially became the chancellor, which is like being the president of a college.
Public Service and Leadership
Beyond her work at TCC, Erma Hadley also served on several important groups. She was part of the Trinity River Authority of Texas, which helps manage water resources. She also served on the Texas Governor’s Committee on Volunteerism, encouraging people to help their communities. She broke barriers again by becoming the first woman to join the board of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. A board is a group of people who make important decisions for an organization. She was also the first African American person to lead this airport board as its chair.
Family Life
Erma Johnson Hadley was married to Lawrence Johnson, who passed away before her. She later married Bill Hadley. She had one daughter named Ardenia Johnson Gould.
Legacy
Erma Johnson Hadley passed away at the age of 73. She is remembered for her groundbreaking achievements and her dedication to education and public service.
