THIS
LEGACY IS YOURS:
Celebrating the Lasting Contributions of
African American Women
Bernice McKinley Chambers
Bernice McKinley Chambers was born on May 28, 1907 in Shelby,
Mississippi, a daughter of Albert and Mary Jane Jackson McKinley.
Her family moved to Champaign in 1917 where she completed her
formal education in the Champaign School System.
She was employed by the University of Illinois as a Cook and
retired some 25 years later as a Food Service Administrator. After
retirement, she was in charge of the Peace Meal Program at the
Douglass Senior Center, for 18 years.
Under the pastorate of Reverend R. D. Hayden, she joined the
Salem Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and served as
President of the Gospel Choir. She was a regular attendee at Sunday
School and BYPU and served as an Assistant Church Clerk.
She was a member and past Matron of the Deborah Chapter #27,
Eastern Star, the Daughters of Isis and held several offices of
the Eureka Grand Chapter of Prince Hall Affiliation of Illinois.
Bernice McKinley Chambers
)
denotes original charter members of the Champaign County Section
of the National Council of Negro Women.