Winnie Wilson was a standout teacher in the Champaign Unit 4
School District.
Winnie grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and as a child, it was
always her dream to become a teacher. She attended elementary,
junior high and high school there and after graduation, went to
Wet Virginia State on scholarship and while there, she met and
was married to James C. Wilson, an outstanding All-American Football
Player at the College. To this union was born two children, a
daughter and a son. Mr. Wilson was employed by the College's Athletic
Department and served as Assistant Football Coach, Swimming Coach
and Director of the Student Union and Recreation.
In 1965, he was hired as Assistant Track Coach at the University
of Illinois and the family relocated to the area. While traveling
with the University of Illinois Team in Texas, Spring of 1967
- he became ill and subsequently died a few days later of Viral
Meningitis. This left Winnie with two children to support, a daughter
8, and a son 14. She had began teaching full-time a year before.
It was a tough time making ends meet, so she decided to return
to school to earn her Master's Degree so her salary would increase.
Winnie never gave up - she got her Degree in 1970.
Her teaching career covered assignments in many of the Unit #4
Schools, and her reputation as an exemplary teacher and role model
spread throughout the community. She supported the education of
her two children at the University of Illinois and is the proud
mother of Karen, an Attorney with the United States Department
of Justice, and James, who is in Communication. She is now retired,
but has fond recollections of her teaching career and the rewards
from former students who fondly remember her open-arms, hands-on
teaching philosophy.
Winnie
Wilson
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denotes original charter members of the Champaign County Section
of the National Council of Negro Women.