[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A TRIBUTE TO ODELLE WHITEHEAD BARNES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2007

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise 
today to pay tribute to Mrs. Odelle Whitehead Barnes, a native and 
longtime resident of Wilson, North Carolina. This wonderful individual 
is a family friend and a former teacher at my alma mater, The Charles 
H. Darden High School. For many years, Mrs. Barnes dedicated her life 
to educating and serving the people of Wilson, North Carolina. She is 
being honored this week upon her designation as a Diamond Soror in 
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and for her years of service to the 
community.
  Madam Speaker, Mrs. Barnes committed 39 years of her life as both a 
teacher and speech therapist, and many more as a beacon of positive 
light to the community. She should be lauded even greater for her 
success in overcoming the racial and gender prejudices of her time. 
Mrs. Odelle Barnes was born in Wilson, North Carolina, as one of 12 
children to Henry and Victoria Whitehead. She faced numerous challenges 
growing up in the Jim Crow South during the Depression, but excelled 
nonetheless, graduating from high school at age 16. Mrs. Barnes 
attended North Carolina College at Durham, today North Carolina Central 
University, and graduated with high honors in both English and French. 
Although the college environment during the Depression was unfriendly, 
nevertheless she persevered with the help of her family, the 
determination of her own character and her faith in Almighty God.
  Mrs. Barnes taught for many years at both Elm City Elementary and 
Darden High School, before earning her Masters in Speech Therapy with 
the University of Michigan. In a time when integration still ruled 
North Carolina, Mrs. Barnes provided an invaluable service to the 
African-American community of Wilson County with her work as a Speech 
Therapist in the school system. In 1977, Darden High School named her 
``Alumna of the Year,'' and in 1981 she was honored by the Wilson Human 
Relations Commission with its ``Citizen Award.''
  Madam Speaker, Odelle Whitehead Barnes is very proud of her 
distinction of being ``Charter Member'' of two chapters of Alpha Kappa 
Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Alpha Chi Chapter in 1932 and of the Gamma 
Beta Omega Chapter in 1940. She is now a Diamond Soror and has spent 75 
years as an AKA member. Mrs. Barnes is a lifelong member of the Jackson 
Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church, where she has served as the 
president of the Missionary Circle and co-founder of the Fellowship 
Club, and has twice been named church ``Woman of the Year.'' 
Additionally, she served as board member for the Department of Social 
Services, the Wilson Historic Properties Commission, and Wilson County 
Mental Health Board. She volunteered at the Wilson Crisis Center, the 
Hospital Visitation Program and the Wilson County Board of Elections.
  Mrs. Barnes, who was married to Edward Morrison Barnes for 65 years, 
presently resides in Detroit, Michigan, with her daughter, Carolyn, her 
two grandsons and five great-grandchildren. Madame Speaker, in honor 
and recognition of Mrs. Odelle Whitehead Barnes' diligent service as an 
educator, therapist, and leader, I ask my Colleagues to join me in 
paying tribute to this great woman.

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