On the recordFebruary 12, 2020
In honor of Black History Month, I want to recognize Eddy Jean Rivers. Eddy Jean Rivers is a community leader who started her work life at McCrory's in downtown Lake Wales as the first African American employed in a downtown business and the first African American to be employed by a banking industry in the area. She obtained her degree in early childhood education and worked for Janie Howard Wilson Elementary for 16 years. Passionate about education, Rivers continues her teaching with Family Literacy Academy in Lake Wales. She has served as a member of the Roosevelt Alumni Association, PTO of the Janie Howard Wilson Elementary, MAD DADS Association, Drug Awareness Council of Lake Wales, Red Cross Association, Lake Wales Business and Profession Women's Club, Lake Wales MLK Committee, and Lake Wales Recreation Committee. She also served as an active board member of the Lake Wales NAACP since 1956. She has received awards for Sunday School Teacher of the Year and the Music Ministry Award from the First Institutional Baptist Church, an award from the Lakeland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for outstanding service, and the Lake Wales NAACP Community Leader Award. For that, Ms. Eddy Jean Rivers, we honor you. Recognizing Joanne Cobbs
