Edna Burke Jackson

JACKSON, EDNA BURKE (Age 93)

Former teacher and member of Seaton Memorial AME Church in Lanham, Maryland, died February 21, 2004 at Carroll Manor Nursing Home. Born January 25, 1911, Mrs. Jackson was the eldest of four children. An honor roll student throughout her school career, she graduated from Dunbar High School in 1928 as class Valedictorian. Representing the District of Columbia at the Chicago National Finals of an Elks Oratorical Contest, she placed second and won a four-year scholarship to Howard University.

She completed her undergraduate studies in only three years graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Romance Languages and Social Studies. She was invited by Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune to teach at Bethune-Cookman College in Florida. However, Mrs. Jackson decided to remain at Howard University in order to complete her work for a Masters Degree.

Unable to secure a teaching position in Washington, DC, she accepted an assignment in Tulsa, Oklahoma at Booker T. Washington High School in 1934 where she established and headed the Language Department. While in Tulsa she wrote a weekly column for the leading Black newspaper in that area, The Oklahoma Eagle and taught Sunday school at the Vernon A.M.E. Church.

In 1940, she returned to Washington, D.C. to teach History at Cardozo High School. During the summer months, Edna continued her studies at Howard University, Catholic University, and Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She remained at Cardozo until 1954 when she was selected to become the first Black teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School. Mrs. Jackson served in many capacities in both high schools, constantly supporting and encouraging students to study and get a good education. From 1959 through 1970 she completed book reviews for The Journal of Negro History.

Upon her retirement in 1976, Mrs. Jackson volunteered at River Terrace Community School in Washington, D.C. and at Thomas Claggett Elementary School in Prince George's County Maryland.

At Seaton Memorial AME Church, Mrs. Jackson served on the Missionary Society, the Board of Christian Education, the Stewardess Board, the Sunday School Staff and the Church Scholarship Committee. As President of the Lincoln-Vista Civic Association, Mrs. Jackson often spoke at County hearings and meetings as an advocate for improved services.

She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Pi Delta Phi Honorary Society; Kappa Mu Honorary Society; Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Sorority; the NAACP and the Association for the Study of African American History.

She is survived by one brother, George E. Burke of Worcester, Massachusetts; nephew, David B. Jackson; niece, Paula B. Duckett; sister-in-law, Loretta D. Burke and five grand nieces and nephews.