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The youngest of seven children, Stratton received a bachelor's
degree from the University of Illinois in 1950 and a master's
degree in 1952. During his career (33 years) with the Champaign
Unit 4 School District, Kenneth Stratton served as both
a teacher and an administrator. He served as president of
the Champaign Education Association as well. In 1961, Stratton
was elected the first African American council member in
the City of Champaign.
Mr. Stratton was a member of the William F. Earnest American
Legion Post 559; served on the Board of Directors of United
Way and the Frances Nelson Health Center. He was a charter
member of the Don Moyer Boys Club, and the Champaign County
Urban League.
Mr. Stratton was active in the civil rights movement; was
a member of the Black Coalition for Equal Opportunity Employment
and helped organize for integration in the Champaign school
system, Champaign housing, and the hiring practices in the
downtown Champaign stores and at Burnham Hospital. Stratton
Elementary School was named in his honor.
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