107.3 JAMZ! Celebrates Black History Month

Upstate Black History Maker Recognized February 04, 2006
Lottie Gibson: Advocate for the African American Community at large

"If I can help somebody, then my life would not have been in vain." This is a philosophy that Lottie Gibson has lived all of her life. Lottie was born in Oconee County, and the first 6 years of her life were spent in Anderson, South Carolina. She moved to Greenville, South Carolina at the age of six, and received her education in the public schools of Greenville County. A 1947 graduate of Sterling High School, she along with her classmates were the last class to finish eleventh grade. Lottie went on to attend West Virginia State College and obtained a Bachelors of Science Degree in Sociology and Drama. She completed her Masters Degree of Sociology at Atlanta University.

Gibson was married to the late William (Bill) F. Gibson, a noted dentist in the Greenville area. They have four children who are actively involved in the progress of the African American community. There are three sons and one daughter.

Lottie has always been a community activist since the beginning of her high school days. After finishing her education, she returned to the Greenville area and became a loyal volunteer with the Girl Scouts, The Phillis Wheatley Center Theater and Drama Club, NAACP, YMCA, and an organization that was once call the Y-Teens.

Gibson did an internship with the South Carolina Public Welfare System for nine months. It was because of this internship she received a Scholarship to enter graduate school, with the promise of returning to work in the Public Welfare System. After returning, she worked with the Spartanburg Department Welfare System for two and a half years.

Lottie has worked for the Phillis Wheatley Community Agency, and served in the capacity of the Director of Girls and Women activities. She then went on to become Director of the United Service Operation and remained there for eight and a half years. She took a sabbatical for 12 years to take on the awesome task of being a homemaker and raising her four beautiful children. Twelve years later, Gibson returned in full force, and is presently the Director for the Greenville Technical College Trio Program.

Gibson is a founding member of the Epsilon Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha. She acted as Dean of Pledges, was the Philata (Parliamentary), Vice-Basili (Vice President) and Basili (President). Gibson has served on more than 40 boards in Greenville County. She is a life time member of the NAACP, has the longest tenure of any member for the Share Board (16 years), represented seven chairs from the County Council, labored for the Stat and Regional Boards and Commission, traveled the world over and has met and shook hands with dignitaries from every facet of life. She has been a member of Springfield Baptist Church for 67 years, where she is the Recording Secretary, worked in the Cradle Roll, a youth teacher, Vacation Bible School Director, and was appointed to chair the fundraising committee when the church burned several years ago.

Gibson is an active voice on the County Council where she shares her wealth of knowledge and good common sense. Her ultimate mission is to overcome the racial and unfair problems that face African Americans not only in Greenville County, but the entire Universe. For many years she has fought to see a drug rehabilitation center instituted to give Greenvillians the necessary treatment to help overcome the shackles of drug addiction. With the proper treatment and adequate rehabilitation, these people can become productive citizens, and return to the work force as employed Americans who can pay into the tax system, instead of taking from it.

Gibson will be retired from Greenville Technical College on January 31, 2006, but she will never retire as a Community Activist. She will continue to serve as a County Council Woman for as long as there is breath in her warm and active body. Forever the public servant, her true calling is to always be available to help no matter whom, no matter what. Gibson states, "When I take the time to evaluate my life, I have come to realize that it has always been better than worse. I have been blessed to have had a great and fruitful life."