Material on this site will be listed below by some categories important to Sarah Stevenson’s life. Some items, particularly news stories and the like, may appear in several categories, reflecting their content.

 

Family

  • Updates on Sarah Stevenon
    As 2021 opened, younger sister Elloree Erwin continued to update Sarah Stevenson’s friends on her condition and on ways to visit. Erwin’s updates in 2020 are here. Nov. 13, 2021 Elloree Erwin, ...
  • 2020: Sarah Stevenson’s move into care facility
    The year 2020 turned tortuous just weeks after the New Year as COVID-19 spread rapidly across America, sickening and killing people of all ages. This is not the place to ...
  • Charlotte Post’s Unique Black Women recognition
    Feb. 10, 1983 In an interview with the Charlotte Post, Sarah Stevenson focused on black students having higher expectations for themselves, and greater parent involvement in education.

Church

  • Appreciation for service to Missouri Synod
    Oct. 23, 1998 The writer, president of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, wrote Sarah Stevenson on the completion of Stevenson’s term on the church’s Board for Black Ministry.
  • Plaudits for work at Prince of Peace Lutheran
    Jan, 9, 2000 This letter was written to mark the end of Sarah Stevenson’s 1999 term as president of the congregation of her church, Prince of Peace Lutheran on Beatties Ford ...
  • Coalition of Lutherans in Black Ministry
    Sept. 19, 1992 Sarah Stevenson received this certificate for her “pioneering efforts, leadership and continuing support” from the Coalition of Lutherans in Black Ministry.  
  • Charlotte Post’s Unique Black Women recognition
    Feb. 10, 1983 In an interview with the Charlotte Post, Sarah Stevenson focused on black students having higher expectations for themselves, and greater parent involvement in education.

    CMS Board of Education

    • ‘Honoring those who came first’
      Feb. 26, 2005 This Black History Month feature in the Charlotte Observer includes a picture of Sarah Stevenson taken for brochures in her 1980 bid for a CMS school board seat.
    • School board candidates debate busing
      April 15, 1988 The Charlotte Observer offered this synopsis of the conversation among 14 school board candidates in the days leading up to a May 3 election for five seats.
    • Leading a bond campaign
      Oct. 3, 1986 Sarah Stevenson, at podium, was co-chair of the county’s 1986 bond campaign.
    • Sworn in for 2nd school board term
      Aug. 14, 1984 Photo shows the swearing-in ceremony for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. Left to right: Ward McKeithen, Saran Stevenson, Don Austin, Carrie Winter, Betsy Bennett and Judge James B. ...
    • 1984 election to school board certified
      May 4, 1984 Sarah Stevenson saved her certificate of having been re-elected to the CMS Board of Education.
    • Charlotte Post’s Unique Black Women recognition
      Feb. 10, 1983 In an interview with the Charlotte Post, Sarah Stevenson focused on black students having higher expectations for themselves, and greater parent involvement in education.
    • ‘Charlotte-Mecklenburg Story’ listing
      Dec. 9, 1980 Sarah Stevenson joins the school board. From the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Story:
    • Observer on candidates in CMS board runoff
      June 2, 1980 This is a Charlotte Observer report on the candidates in the runoff election for four school board seats.
    • 1980 election flier
      May 6, 1980 An election flier from Sarah Stevenson’s first run for public office as a member of the CMS Board of Education.
    • Successful end to a band uniform fund-raiser
      Nov. 24, 1971 Charlotte Observer librarian Maria David published this online “Retro Charlotte” column on Nov. 30, 2016 under the headline, “West Charlotte’s Marching Lions and their really good day, 1971.” The ...
    • PTA Council Annual Meeting
      April 22, 1971 Sarah Stevenson saved this program from the 1971 annual meeting of the PTA Council over which she presided as president. The meeting marked the end of her one-year ...
    • Swann v Mecklenburg argued at the Supreme Court
      Oct. 12, 1970 Julius Chambers argued the Swann v Mecklenburg case before the U.S. Supreme Court on this day. Here are some pictures Sarah Stevenson saved from a visit to the ...
    • Sarah Stevenson elected PTA Council president
      April 24, 1970 The Observer’s report on the PTA Council meeting at which Sarah Stevenson was elected president.
    • Report on CPA candidates at forum
      April  24, 1970 An Observer report on a candidate forum in 1970 in which Concerned Parents Association candidates Bill Booe, Tom Harris and Jane Scott.

    Community

    • Remembering the Eastside Council
      Feb. 28, 2007 Discussing the Eastside Council on Civic Affairs, from left: Jim Polk, Henry Wallace, Sarah Stevenson, Willie Davis, Leroy Polk and Malachi Greene. More here.
    • Fundraising with the Strouds
      March 2, 2006 Sarah Stevenson joined Gerson and Daisy Stroud in a fund-raiser to create scholarships at the Gerson L. and Daisy Spears Stroud Foundation.
    • Women’s Equality Day 2005
      Aug. 28, 2005 Sarah Stevenson was co-chair of the Women’s Commission Advisory Board as the group  honored four women and one business at a ceremony at Marshall Park.  
    • Law Day 2005
      May 1, 2004 John Lewis was guest speaker at the Mecklenburg Bar’s annual Law Day observance.
    • National Day of Prayer
      May 3, 2002 Sarah Stevenson’s hands caught the attention of an Observer photographer at the Charlotte observance of National Day of Prayer on May 2.  
    • Election returns from county commissioners primary
      May 7, 1996 Sarah Stevenson was bested by Hoyle Martin in the May 1996 Democratic primary for the District 2 seat on the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners. The full PDF ...
    • Endorsed for county board seat
      April 29, 1996 Sarah Stevenson was among those endorsed by the Charlotte Observer in the run-up to the May 6, 1996 primary election.
    • Life membership in NANBPWC
      July 23, 1993 Sarah Stevenson pays her fee for lifetime membership in the National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women’s Association, Inc.
    • ‘Save Our Children’ program, 1991
      July 11, 1991 This Charlotte Post article notes a social function for children and their parents who were involved in a support program at the Anita Stroud Program at Fairview Homes. ...
    • ‘Queen of the Nile’ fundraiser nets $9,000
      May 21, 1987 The Charlotte Post reported on the Afro-American Cultural Center’s first fundraiser.
    • Speech by Joseph Lowery
      March 10, 1983 The Rev. Joseph Lowery was third president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference on the day he spoke to a Charlotte audience.
    • Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, 1982
      Jan. 15, 1982 One of the key turns in an ever-changing Charlotte celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day occurred on this day in 1982. And one of the architects of ...
    • Black Female Church Forum planned
      Sept. 10, 1981 Sarah Stevenson was among the speakers at the first Black Female Church Forum held at First United Presbyterian Church, 201 E. 7th St.
    • Progress toward women’s rights?
      Aug. 27, 1981 In an Observer news story about the prospects for the Equal Rights Amendment, reporter Wendy Fox catalogued the “the progress – measurable if not, some would say, astounding ...
    • 1976 profile of Sarah Stevenson
      Oct. 13, 1976 The Observer’s Vanessa Gallman apparently wrote this Observer profile in connection with a UNCC class studying “Black Women in America.”

    Forum

    Sarah & Samuel Stevenson Scholarship Fund

    • The First Stevenson Scholarship Fund Concert
      Jan. 13, 2013 Dozens of people attended, and even more contributed, to Sunday’s successful launch of the Sarah and Sammy Stevenson Endowed Scholarship Fund at Johnson C. Smith University. AME Zion Church ...

    South African Students Scholarships

    • John may arrive in January
      Dec. 13, 2016: Sarah reports that John Malindi has received support for his flight to the States. He’s currently scheduled to arrive Jan. 2 or Jan. 3.
    • Sarah Stevenson says thanks to supporters for boosting fund
      Nov. 17, 2015 Sarah Stevenson, who co-founded the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum, used the Forum this morning to announce fundraising results from her Oct. 25 90th birthday celebration.
    • 90: Praise and prayers for a committed public servant
      Oct. 25, 2015 “I don’t march,” Sarah Stevenson has often said. But at age 90 she is still bringing people together for community causes. AME Zion Senior Bishop George Battle noted her ...
    • Thanks to all who participated in today’s birthday celebration
      Oct. 25, 2015 Click here for video excerpts from Sunday’s event marking Sarah Stevenson’s 90th birthday and her ongoing efforts to raise money for tuition and fees so that two South African ...
    • The Program
       Download the program as a PDF file.
    • ‘We are celebrating, we are celebrating’
      Oct. 20 2015 Carlenia Ivory made the following announcement at the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum.
    • Surrounded by friends, and devoted to a mission
      Oct. 1, 2015 Portia writes: “This is the best thing about my job: Because I work with people who are selfless and challenge me to give my best in everything I ...
    • That all may eat
      Sept. 19: “The garden is in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood, at an apartment complex. I went with a few students from school as part of my community service hours. “We were removing ...
    • Where will you be?
      Sept. 17: What do Thomas Moore, Portia Motsapi, Ron Carter, Linda Straite Lynch, Bishop George Battle and Treva Pettis have in common? They’ll all be at Sarah Stevenson’s 90th Birthday Fundraiser on ...
    • A first volunteer job
      Sept. 16: Portia writes: “I got my first volunteer work” – a Friday evening stint volunteering at Festival in the Park on Sept. 25. “We all have got to start somewhere, ...
    • Sept. 6: Friends Indeed!
    • Sept. 5: First football
    • Getting acclimated
      Sept. 2: Portia writes: “My classes have been demanding. I’m enjoying my math a lot because I need extra help with that so I look forward to class for that new ...
    • ‘I’m going to make you all proud’
      Aug. 25: Portia addresses the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum in Charlotte.
    • Posing with Queen Go Go
      Aug. 25: Portia Motsapi, right, poses for a photo with Sarah Stevenson at the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum. In impromptu remarks, Motsapi thanked Forum participants who had donated money to ...
    • Hugs for Queen Go Go
       
    • Portia’s long flight over
        Aug. 22: “Geri and I picked Portia up at the airport this morning,” Natheley writes. “She’s adorable. “We took Portia by JCSU on our way back from the airport and introduced ...
    • Arriving at Gate …
      Aug. 21: Geri reports that, by way of Atlanta, Portia is due to arrive in Charlotte Saturday morning!
    • Visa released
      Aug. 18: Geri reports that Portia’s visa was released today. “She is working with her NYC sponsors to obtain her flight itinerary.”
    • Pledge now and plan to attend Sarah’s 90th Birthday Party
        Aug. 14, 2015 Sarah Stevenson likes to party. For a purpose. Please join her friends and family and well-wishers on Sunday, Oct. 25 in Grimes Lounge on the Johnson C. Smith University ...
    • Portia may be on way
      Aug. 13: Sarah reports that Portia may be arriving as early as this Saturday or Sunday!
    • Both students delayed
      Aug. 9: Sarah reports that Portia will be delayed in arriving in Charlotte for awhile, and John will postpone his arrival until time for JCSU’s spring semester. All funds donated ...
    • One arrival may be delayed
      Aug. 5: The donor who promised an airline ticket missed a meeting with John. Hopefully the donor will keep his promise, but as of today we’re not sure when John will ...
    • Sarah makes another plea
      Aug. 4: Sarah announced today that she needed more donors to step up. John and Portia “are still scheduled to be here this Sunday.”
    • Registration confirmed
      Aug. 2: “I did receive a call today from Dean Hurd confirming their class registration and housing assignment. What a blessing.” – Geri Crooks
    • Sarah issues a challenge
      July 28: Sarah Stevenson stood before the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum and said she was prepared to empty her personal bank accounts to make good on a promise. More on ...
    • Immediate need: $10,000
      July 28: “There is an outstanding balance of $10,000 of the $26,000 required for Portia and John to attend JCSU for one semester.” – Natheley McElrath
    • Arriving soon
      July 27: “We were very pleased to learn at yesterday’s meeting that our two students will be arriving Aug. 8 or 9 with the hope of starting at JCSU on ...

    Growing the Dream Awards

    Accolades

    • Affordable apartments honoring Stevenson officially open at Brightwalk
      Oct. 18, 2017  On the site of the old Double Oaks Apartments off Statesville Avenue, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership is developing Brightwalk. The barracks-style 1950s development of 576 apartments in 165 buildings ...
    • Stevenson honored at Gantt Center gala
      – Photos above and below by T. Ortega Gaines for the Gantt Center. Dec. 3, 2016 Sarah Stevenson was a founding board member of the Harvey B. Gantt Center in Charlotte. She ...
    • Regional honors for support of human relations activities
      Oct. 24, 2000 Sarah Stevenson was among those honored for her support of human rights activities at a regional honors ceremony in Cramerton sponsored by the Gaston Human Relations Commission and ...
    • Freedom Fund Banquet 2000
      Aug. 25, 2000 Sarah Stevenson was to be among those honored at the NAACP’s Freedom Fund Banquet.
    • A note of congratulations
      Aug. 30, 1998 Jim Wright’s note about the 1998 Women’s Equality Day Award.
    • 18th Annual Women’s Equality Day Awards
      Aug. 26, 1998 Sarah Stevenson and Annelle Houk of the League of Women Voters headlined the 18th Annual Women’s Equality Day/150th Anniversary of the Women’s Rights Movement Celebration at Charlotte’s Grady ...
    • Tom Bush letter on Minority Affairs Advisory work
      Jan. 28, 1998 Tom Bush was chair of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners when this note was written.
    • Honored on Women’s Equality Day
      Aug. 26, 1995 Sarah Stevenson received this commendation for volunteer service in conjunction with Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s celebration of Women’s Equality Day.
    • CRC honor for volunteer service
      June 1, 1995 Sarah Stevenson is honored for volunteer work with the Community Relations Committee.
    • Mecklenburg Bar’s Liberty Bell Award
      May 4, 1995 Sydnor Thompson gave this presentation when Sarah Stevenson was named the 1995 winner of the Mecklenburg Bar’s Liberty Bell Award, “honoring an individual who has performed community service ...
    • 1992 Woman of the Year
      Jan. 27, 1993 Sarah Stevenson was honored as 1992 Woman of the Year. This clipping appears to be from the Charlotte Post.  
    • A thank-you from Bob Walton
      June 1, 1987 County Commissioner Rev. Bob Walton sent a clipping and a thank you to Sarah Stevenson for her part in headlining a successful fundraiser for the Afro-American Cultural Center.
    • Stevenson ‘a force for … quiet, lasting, stable change’
      Jan. 22, 1986 An Observer editorial marks the award of the Community Relations Committee’s Martin Luther King Jr. Award to Sarah Stevenson.
    • Sarah Stevenson Day
      Feb. 24, 1985 An Observer report on how about 100 people gathered to honor Sarah Stevenson at a salute by the Black Women’s Caucus. Mayor Harvey Gantt and Commissioners Chair Carly ...
    • Leaving leadership role in business women’s group
      July 19, 1984 Members honored Sarah Stevenson at the conclusion of a term as president of the Charlotte chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. ...
    • Acknowledgement for Resolutions Committee work
      March 12, 1983 Sarah Stevenson received this certificate for her work with the Southeast District of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc.
    • Charlotte Post’s Unique Black Women recognition
      Feb. 10, 1983 In an interview with the Charlotte Post, Sarah Stevenson focused on black students having higher expectations for themselves, and greater parent involvement in education.
    • Mayor Knox’s Certificate of Merit
      Sept. 29, 1982 Charlotte Mayor Eddie Knox presented this certificate of merit to Sarah Stevenson.
    • NAACP outstanding service award
      April 1, 1974 Sarah Stevenson received an outstanding service award from the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund at its annual meeting.