Sallye Mathis facts for kids

Sallye Brooks Mathis (1912 – 1982) was an important teacher and civil rights activist from Jacksonville, Florida. She worked to make things fair for everyone. Sallye Mathis also became an elected official, serving on Jacksonville's city council for 15 years. She was one of the first women and first Black people to hold such a position in the city. A school, Sallye B. Mathis Elementary School, is named after her. In 2015, she was honored by being added to the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Education

Sallye Brooks Mathis was born in Jacksonville, Florida. Her parents were Sallie Garrett Brooks and Henry Pickens Brooks. She grew up in Jacksonville and went to local schools. In 1930, she finished high school at the Stanton Institute in Jacksonville.

She continued her education at several colleges. She studied at Benedict College and Bethune-Cookman College. In 1945, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Tuskegee University. Later, in 1955, she received a master's degree in secondary education from Florida A&M University.

Teaching and Community Work

For over 25 years, Sallye Mathis was a dedicated teacher in the Duval County School System. She taught at schools like Stanton Junior High School. She also worked as a school counselor. At Matthew V. Gilbert Junior-Senior High School, she was the girls' dean, helping young women. She retired from teaching in 1962.

After retiring, Mathis focused on helping her community. She became a strong voice for civil rights. She was a member of the NAACP, which works for equal rights for Black people. She also joined the League of Women Voters. Mathis took part in civil rights marches. She worked to end segregation in schools with Wendell Holmes. She also helped integrate the Jacksonville YWCA and its leadership board.

Mathis was a leader in many groups. She helped organize the Jacksonville Opportunities Industrial Council. She also started the Jacksonville Minority Women's Coalition. In 1966, she led a voter-registration drive for the NAACP. The next year, she won the first Pearson Award from the Florida NAACP. She was also involved with the NAACP Youth Council, helping young people get involved.

Serving on the City Council

Members of the NAACP encouraged Sallye Mathis to run for a seat on the Jacksonville City Council. She decided to run, focusing her campaign on the idea of "one-government." She believed that changes in the city council would help Black voters, who made up 40% of the voters in Jacksonville. Many white voters also supported her.

In the primary election on June 6, 1967, Mathis ran against Barney Cobb. She won the Democratic nomination for Ward 3. She received 19,260 votes, beating Cobb's 16,872 votes. On June 20, she won the general election for Ward 3. She defeated Republican Theodore Forsyth Jr. with 19,416 votes to his 14,528 votes.

In 1967, Sallye Mathis and Mary Singleton made history. They became the first women to serve on the Jacksonville City Council. They were also the first Black members of the council since 1907. After the election, Mathis was chosen to be on the council's City Pardon Board.

In 1977, she was a delegate for Florida at the National Women's Conference. Sallye Mathis continued to serve on the Jacksonville City Council until her death in 1982.

Lasting Impact

The Jacksonville Branch of the NAACP created a community service award in Sallye Mathis's name. The Sallye B. Mathis Elementary School was also named to honor her important work.

In 2015, she was honored again. She was inducted into the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame after her death. Her legacy continues to inspire people in Jacksonville and beyond.