Emma C Clement – First Black Mother of the Year – Livingstone grad.
By
John C Abercrombie
As we celebrate Mother’s Day this year on May 10, 2020 it gives me an opportunity to speak on the subject and wish all a Happy Mother’s Day.
There are many who are excluded because they have not given physical birth, but they have given so much to society and should be included. Mother’s Day is a celebration of love, giving, kindness and all that is good!
A mother’s love is like no other and there are many people who give of themselves in a very unselfish way. We need to reflect on those who have shared their love and talents with us. My mother was a bright spot in my life and although she has passed on, she has made a positive difference in my life.
There have been other women in my life, and I reflect very favorably on them and their contribution to my life. We all have such people I our life and this is the time to remember them.
At this time, I want to call attention to one such woman. She did not have a direct bearing on my life, but the results of her love have brought much to my life.
Emma Clarissa Clement was the first Black woman to receive the honor on a national level as “Mother of the Year” in 1946. Living in Providence, Rhode Island (Officially Rhode Island and Providence Plantations) she came to Salisbury, North Carolina to attend Livingstone College.
As a matter of transparency, I am a proud graduate of Livingstone.
In 1946, when she received the award “Mother of the Year” Clement was a civic leader, religious educator living in Kentucky at the age of 71.
She had met her husband at Livingstone College. She was a widow and raised 4 sons and 3 daughters, all graduates of Livingstone College. 4 of her children had become college professors.
She had been elected by the Golden Rule Club. The Golden Rule club was an idea started by Anna Reeves Jarvis in the American Mother ‘s Inc. It started as a day of love and friendship and grew into the national observance of Mother’s Day with American Mothers Inc as the official sponsor.
When notification of the honor came to her home, Emma Clarissa Clement was away attending a district church conference in Springfield, Kentucky.
Her son Rufus E Clement was born in Salisbury, NC, later becoming a professor then dean at Livingstone College before serving as the first dean of what is now Simmons College In 1937. He later became president of Atlanta University and served until his death after 30 years in the position.
When Emma Clarissa Clement received the honor, she accepted it on behalf of all Black mothers. Today, it is extended to all mothers and those who fill the role of mother.
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This is the day to celebrate our mothers, not only those who have physical birth, but include all who have shown the love and concern of a mother.
Happy mother’s Day!