Atlanta Board of Education: Honoring Sadie Mays
Prior to her death in 1969, Sadie Mays, wife of Benjamin E. Mays had intended to serve on the Atlanta Board of Education. Her goal was to serve “on behalf of all colors and all political persuasions." She saw that the Black population of Atlanta would allow for some Black representation on the school board. Sadie wanted to address the problem of segregation in the Atlanta Public Schools that caused poor funding and poor staffing for the Black neighborhood schools.
Press release, “Statement of Benjamin E. Mays” 1969 August 15
After Sadie Mays passed away in 1969, Benjamin E. Mays decided to run for the Atlanta Board of Education in order to honor her and do the work that was needed. In 1969, Mays was elected to the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education and soon after, he was elected president of the board. Mays served as president from 1970 until his retirement in 1981.
Mays did the work “Sadie Mays wanted to do, and he never forgot his duty to the Atlanta schools." During his term on the board, Mays wanted to focus on leadership, responsiveness, and communication. He believed that these goals would increase the quality and equality of education for children of the Atlanta schools. He brought to the board “his administrative acumen, his optimism, and his capacity for hard work.” “He remained energetic and fought steadfastly over eleven years to improve the educational attainment of the black children of Atlanta against the backdrop of white flight.”
Telegram from Arnold Jzurcher to Benjamin E. Mays, January 7, 1970
Black History Month calendar poster, 1973
APCUG Higher Education Awards Banquet, Wright Henry, Benjamin Mays, and Sam Massell, March 26, 1973
Poster, “Bicentennial Salute to 24 Outstanding Black Educators”, undated
Article in New South, “Why an Atlanta School Suit?” 1950
Recipients of the College Board Medal for Distinguished Service to Education, 1976