Carrie Martin 05/12/1930 – 09/16/2014 Carrie Belle Land-Martin was a native <strong>of</strong> Brooksville, descendant <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> oldest <strong>Black</strong> families in <strong>Hernando</strong> <strong>County</strong>, <strong>the</strong> Timmons, and was Moton High School Class <strong>of</strong> 1948 valedictorian. Jennie Wright, her mo<strong>the</strong>r’s sister, a Tuskegee Institute (University) alumna encouraged Carrie to attend <strong>the</strong> world renowned Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama where she earned a bachelor <strong>of</strong> physical education degree in 1953, and master <strong>of</strong> education degree in 1962. She began her teaching career at Jenkins High School in Perry, Taylor <strong>County</strong>, Florida. She taught grades 7-12, and 7th grade ma<strong>the</strong>matics from 1955-1961. Mrs. Martin waited six years for a teaching position in Brooksville at which time she taught Special Education and 5th grade regular classes in <strong>the</strong> newly integrated schools in <strong>Hernando</strong> <strong>County</strong>. Carrie was awarded Teacher <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Month <strong>by</strong> FDLRS/SRINGS; an associate center <strong>of</strong> Ocala, FL, for her accomplishments and in recognition <strong>of</strong> outstanding qualities <strong>of</strong> instruction in April 1977. Carrie retired from <strong>the</strong> teaching pr<strong>of</strong>ession in 1985 after 29 years; 6 years in Taylor <strong>County</strong> and 23 years in <strong>Hernando</strong> <strong>County</strong>. Most <strong>of</strong> her career occurred during segregation and she was paid less than her White peers even when <strong>Black</strong>s held equal or superior credentials. Carrie kept her focus on preparing her students. As an elementary teacher, she taught all students regardless <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir reading and communication skills. She divided her students into groups according to ability and subject, and provided equal time to all. In spite <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pay discrimination, Carried lived a balanced and focused life. 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 sister. Hazel Land. Teaching was her pr<strong>of</strong>ession, building and maintaining a healthy community was her passion. After retirement, Carrie worked as a volunteer at Blanche Cambric Academy, <strong>Inc</strong>., an award winning after-school cultural enrichment program. She has received plaques for dedicated services to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hernando</strong> <strong>County</strong> Branch, NAACP in 1976 and 1984. She attended as a delegate to a number <strong>of</strong> national NAACP conventions in Boston, New York, Detroit, Dallas, Miami and Houston. Carrie was a member <strong>of</strong> Bethlehem Progressive Baptist Church and served in various capacities, as financial secretary, youth director, Christmas programs, and senior women’s mission. Additionally, she was a founding member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> local <strong>Black</strong> Educators’ <strong>Caucus</strong>, <strong>Inc</strong>., <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hernando</strong> <strong>County</strong>, and a member <strong>of</strong> Moton High School Reunion 50th Anniversary Celebration 1939-1989 Steering and Journal Committees. She met & was married to Charlie Martin for more than 53 years. Her parents were <strong>the</strong> late Allie Mae & Esau Land. Sponsors: Colonel Peter Burnett USA (Ret.) & Family “In order to see where we are going, we not only must remember where we have been, but we must understand where we have been.” ― Ella Baker
JUNE <strong>2022</strong> BLACK MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH Flag Day U.S. Army Birthday Fa<strong>the</strong>r's Day Juneteenth 1865, <strong>Black</strong>s in Texas are notified <strong>of</strong> Emancipation Proclamation issued in 1963. "Juneteenth" marks <strong>the</strong> event.