Barbie Hall 1937-2001 Barbie Jane Hart-Hall is a native <strong>of</strong> Brooksville and Salutatorian <strong>of</strong> Moton High School Class <strong>of</strong> 1957. Her work ethics and value system were shaped <strong>by</strong> several institutions: home, heritage, faith, school, and college. She was a founding member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Black</strong> Educators’ <strong>Caucus</strong>, <strong>Inc</strong>., <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hernando</strong> <strong>County</strong> and served as president 1995-2001, <strong>the</strong> year <strong>of</strong> her demise. She was raised in Bethlehem Progressive (Missionary) Baptist Church where she was active in all aspects <strong>of</strong> church life, from Sunday school to <strong>the</strong> Young People Development, sang in <strong>the</strong> choir, Vacation Bible School, Pastor’s Aid Club, and was <strong>the</strong> Pastor’s personal secretary. Barbie was completing her freshman year in high school when <strong>the</strong> Supreme Court declared <strong>the</strong> separate but equal doctrine unconstitutional in <strong>the</strong> Brown v. Board <strong>of</strong> Education Decision in 1954. Her devotion to <strong>the</strong> Baptist faith led her to Florida Memorial College in Saint Augustine, Florida, an affiliate <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> First South Florida Missionary Baptist Association. Florida Memorial was a decade into <strong>of</strong>fering four-year degrees. Prior to that time, it was a junior college. She earned a masters’ degree from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> South Florida and studied at Howard University also. She was barely out <strong>of</strong> college when <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn states started desegregating <strong>the</strong>ir public schools, and <strong>the</strong> civil rights movement was escalating. Her teaching career commenced in 1961, as an elementary teacher at her alma mater, Moton High School. Barbie was employed with <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hernando</strong> <strong>County</strong> Schools for 30 years until her demise. She taught at Moton to <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> desegregation era <strong>of</strong> public schools. She also worked at Mitchell L. <strong>Black</strong> Elementary and Westside Elementary schools. Barbie was an excellent teacher and was recognized <strong>by</strong> BEC as its Teacher <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Year in 2001. As a third-generation member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Timmons Family, <strong>the</strong> oldest <strong>Black</strong> family in <strong>Hernando</strong> <strong>County</strong>, she was active in <strong>the</strong> Timmons Family Reunion, preservation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Spring Hill African American Cemetery, and a supporter <strong>of</strong> Kennedy Park Little League. She was a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Moton High School Reunion 50th Anniversary Celebration, 1939-1989 Steering, and Alumni Committees, <strong>Hernando</strong> <strong>County</strong> Classroom Teachers Association, Florida Educational Association and National Education Association. Finally, Barbie was a member <strong>of</strong> Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. A plaque was placed on <strong>the</strong> Mid-Community Services Head Start <strong>of</strong>fice wall on School Street in her honor <strong>by</strong> her children. Barbie Jane was married to James Hall; Sr. and <strong>the</strong>y were <strong>the</strong> parents <strong>of</strong> two children: Gina “Cookie” Hall and James “Chip” Hall. She loved her family. She was <strong>the</strong> daughter <strong>of</strong> Moody and Ru<strong>by</strong> Hart. Sponsors: James Hall, Jr., and Gina Hall “I believe unconditionally in <strong>the</strong> ability <strong>of</strong> people to respond when <strong>the</strong>y are told <strong>the</strong> truth. We need to be taught to study ra<strong>the</strong>r than believe, to inquire ra<strong>the</strong>r than to affirm.” ― Septima Poinsette Clark
APRIL <strong>2022</strong> NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH April Fool's Day 1968, Rev. Dr. Martin Lu<strong>the</strong>r King Jr assassinated in Memphis, TN Palm Sunday 1968, President Johnson signs <strong>the</strong> Fair Housing Act National Library Workers' Day Good Friday Tax Day Passover Easter Sunday Administrative Pr<strong>of</strong>essionals Day Earth Day 1942, Moton High School 1st graduating class Take Your Child to Work Day Arbor Day 1944, United Negro College Fund <strong>Inc</strong>orporated