The family of Rebecca J. Williams came to Chanute Air Force base
August 31, 1960. Rebecca could not get employment in the Rantoul
school system and thus began teaching in Danville, Illinois. She
taught there for one year before she left for Libya. Rebecca taught
in the U.S.A. dependent schools before returning to Chanute in
July 1968. She became Director of Headstart and served in that
position for two years. During that time, she expanded the program
to a church located in Rantoul. That movement expanded the program
outside the city limits of Champaign-Urbana. After two years,
Rebecca again applied to Rantoul High School and was hired. She
taught English in the high school from September 1970 through
May 1994. Her efforts in the 60s opened opportunities for employment
of minorities in Rantoul.
Rebecca was active in several organizations. She was the President
of the National Council of Negro Women, office holder in Alpha
Kappa Alpha sorority and a member of Business and Professional
Women. She was an active member in the American Association of
University Women and the Parish Council of Catholic Women. She
was also a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association.
Rebecca received a Bachelor of Science degree from Alabama State
Teachers College, and a Masters degree from the University of
Chicago. She did post graduate work at the University of California
in Berkeley and the University of Illinois.
Rebecca
J. Williams