Generations of Pride - Texas Southern University

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ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTSChristine Cartwright-GillClass of ’47 Alumna Refl ectsBy K. BroussardCartwright - Gill joyfully discusses her beloved almamater, TSU.Christine Cartwright-Gill walked into thehalls of history the day she crossed thestage to become a member of the first graduatingclass at Texas Southern University. When shewas a student at TSU, there was no sciencebuilding, state-of-the-art recreation center orinternationally known debate team, and whilethe campus was far less expansive, there existed acommunal consciousness of greatness.As a college graduate in 1947 Cartwright-Gill understood the significance of holding thatdiploma, as it promised the chance at a life herancestors had never known. “Kids who go toschool now are so blessed,” the 92-year-old saidduring a recent visit to campus.It was from humble beginnings thatCartwright-Gill’s life began. Much like TexasSouthern University, those humble beginningstransformed into something greater. A memberof the first graduating class, she recently visitedTSU and pondered her unique connection to herremarkable alma mater.Ms. Cartwright-Gill grew up in Houston’s 4thWard and was considered by many to be a womanwho seized opportunities and made the best outof what she had. Born one of four children toa happy Christian family on May 20, 1913, herparents taught her to put God first and to learnways to pray for guidance.Cartwright-Gill attended Booker T.Washington High School, and upon graduation,she decided to assist in the efforts of World War IIcontinued8 Spring 2006 • Generations of Pride
without much hesitation. In 1943, she enlisted intothe United States Army WAAC (Women’s ArmyAuxiliary Corps) on the G.I. Bill, which providedfor college or vocational education for returningWorld War II veterans. During the war, she wasstationed in Iowa, Tennessee, Georgia and Texaswhere she drove trucksand worked in the motorpool.Cartwright-Gill wasdischarged from the armyin 1945 and enrolled inthe Madame C.J. WalkerSchool of Cosmetologya year later to becomea licensed beautician;however, she wantedmore. In September of1946, she began her pursuitof higher education atTexas State Universityfor Negroes, now TexasSouthern University(TSU). At the time, classeswere taught at Jack YatesHigh School after thehigh school students leftfor the day. Despite thelack of air conditioning,the college students weregrateful to have an opportunity to learn and takeadvantage of everything, albeit very little, that wasoffered. She advises today’s scholars to “just applyyourself…you can do anything you want.”In 1949, Cartwright-Gill graduated fromthe University with a bachelor of arts degree inbusiness administration. She says her attempts tobecome a professional were thwarted by constantrejections based on race and lack of experience.She in turn began working in a domestic capacityat the Texas State Executive Mansion for theformer Governor of Texas, Allen Shivers. Threeyears later, she married Wellington Gill.A lover of children, yet a strict disciplinarian,Cartwright-Gill began substitute teaching in 1952and received a contract with HISD two yearslater to teach at the Highland Heights ElementarySchool in Acres Homes, where she remained for29 years.Keeping an active lifestyle, Cartwright-GillALUMNI HIGHLIGHTSremains a participator in life and not a spectator.She will not allow ailments nor aches and painsto slow her stride as a regular customer ofMetro Ride. She attends St. James MethodistChurch and is a member of the Houston-HarrisCounty Retired Teachers Association, AARP,Women’s InternationalBowling Congress, SquareDances with the WestEnd YMCA, WomenVeterans of America andBooker T. WashingtonAlumni Association.She also volunteers withthe Michael E. DeBakeyVeterans Affairs MedicalCenter, is an avid scrabbleplayer and participates inweekly activities at theNeighborhood Centers forSeniors at the Acres HomesMulti-Service Center.Christine Cartwright-Gill believes in giving andbeing the best despite life’sobstacles. In comparison,TSU’s rapid, extensiveCartwright - Gill sits amongst TSU students in the expansion is an indicationcomputer lab.of the possibilitieswhen “excellence inachievement” is a way of life; for Cartwright-Gillit is that excellence which signifies character. ForTSU, as with Cartwright-Gill, it is the standard,not a goal.Looking back, she remembers the excitementof the erection of the Fairchild Building thathoused everything from classes and officesto the gymnasium where she played on thewomen’s basketball team. Decades later she isastonished to view the current construction ofthe science building, proud to get a glimpse ofthe development of the Barbara Jordan-MickeyLeland School of Public Affairs and College ofLiberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences buildingand humbled by the expansion of campusenhancements overall.Just like TSU, Cartwright-Gill’s tenacityand drive surpass the average. Being the best, shebelieves, is what life is about. “(This is) the legacythat embodies what TSU is all about.”Generations of Pride • Spring 2006 9
Page 1 and 2: Generations ofTexas Southern Univer
Page 3 and 4: M ESSAGE FROMD R . THEOPHILUS HERRI
Page 5 and 6: TSU Installs State-of-the-Art Full-
Page 7: ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTSJa Ja BallM. Annet
Page 11 and 12: Q&A with Judy Dyer:First on the Fie
Page 13 and 14: Source: TSU ArchivesPhoto by Annie
Page 15 and 16: After graduating from TSU, Barbara
Page 17 and 18: Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School
Page 19 and 20: Former President George H. W. Bush
Page 21 and 22: RESEARCH SPOTLIGHTResearch Week 200
Page 23 and 24: Jose Cedillos, a student in the BJ-
Page 25 and 26: advocates who championed the cause
Page 27 and 28: Generations of Pride • Spring 200
Page 29 and 30: Keep in touchE-mail: tsualumni@tsu.
Page 31 and 32: TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITYNational A

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