Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
There will also be a salute to Community Achievement Honorees.
James R. Mills
A lifelong resident of Lebanon, James "Dick" Mills graduated from Lebanon High School and served in the U.S. Army in Korea. He worked for the ODOT for 39 years. He was elected to Lebanon city council and then as mayor in 1998. He served in that capacity for four years. He is a past commander of the American Legion and continues to be active in the community through various organizations including his church, Kiwanis, and the Lebanon Theatre Company.
Ethel Sims
Ethel Sims was the first black resident to be elected to the Lebanon City Schools Board of Education, thereby becoming the first black to be elected to any office in Warren County, according to historian John Zimkus. She was a prominent business owner (Hallmark card store) as well as an active member of the community. Gov. John Gilligan honored her service.
Marie Singleton
Having recently celebrated her 100th birthday, Marie Singleton has lived a productive life. She reported for the Western Star for many years about activities in the black community. Marie, along with many others, was instrumental in founding the Bessie Davis Community Center which operated for many years in the area surrounding the Pleasant Street School (now a park area).
Barbara Younger
Barbara Younger was born, raised, and educated in Lebanon. She graduated from Central State University. She began her teaching career in the Cleveland City Schools before accepting a position at Dunlavy Elementary in Lebanon. She served as a building representative for the Lebanon Education Association for several years. For many years Barbara was the only black teacher in the entire Lebanon school system.
For more information about any of the events, call (513) 304-9932.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
