Social worker, educator, and religious organizer William Simon Jackson (1913-1996), the son of Rosa P. and David S. Jackson, was born in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. He was primarily raised by his maternal relatives in Everett, Massachusetts. Among them was Scott Green, a notable figure in the Civil War, who served with distinction in the colored regiment.

William S. Jackson graduated from Everett High School in 1931. He was an outstanding athlete. In 1930, he was a member of the Massachusetts All Scholastic Football Team. In 1936, he was a member of West Virginia State College Football Team that was the 1936 National Collegiate Champion and a member of the 1936 All American Football Team. For two years after his graduation from high school, he was employed by the United States Merchant Marines, and visited the countries of Central America, South America, and Canada and several of the Caribbean Islands.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from West Virginia State College in 1937, a Professional Certificate from the Atlanta University School of Social Work in 1939, a Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University School of Social Work in 1945, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from New York University in 1954. While at Atlanta University, Dr. Jackson met Mary Henrietta Saunders (-2000) who he married in 1940. Both served Atlanta University as educators. William S. Jackson as former dean and professor for the Atlanta University School of Social Work (1961-1968) and Mary S. Jackson as teacher and literary instructor at Morris Brown College.

Dr. William S. Jackson was a member of the First Congregational Church U.C.C. for more than thirty years. He served as trustee and as a member of the Personnel Committee of the Southeast District Conference. He was also a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated for more than sixty years. His professional experiences and activities were extensive and varied. They included Area Worker, Central Harlem Street Clubs Project of Welfare Council of New York City; Program Director, Urban League Greater New York; Director and Founder, Bronx Branch, Urban League of Greater New York; Community Service Organization (OEO-CAP) as technical assistance panel member; Director of Community Action Agency of New York City; Adopt-a-Child Agency of New York City; and Commissioner with the Social Security Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where in 1982 he was awarded, a certificate recognizing his outstanding work.

His professional affiliations include: National Association of Social Workers (charter member); Council of Social Work Education; Phi Delta Kappa; Kappa Delta Pi; Georgia Conference of Social Welfare; the National and International Conference on Social Welfare; and Who’s Who in American Education. He also served as consultant and advisor to and board member of numerous organizations which included serving as a Delegate to the 1970 White House Conference on Children in Washington D.C.

He was the recipient of numerous honors and awards among which are: the Norma and Murray Hearn Social Action Award in 1952 by the Alumni Association of Columbia University School of Social Work, the first time given to an African American; an award from the Council of Spanish-Americans Organizations of Greater New York for meritorious service; an honorary citizenship of San Juan, Puerto Rico; the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from West Virginia State College in 1965; and was recognized as an outstanding graduate of Atlanta University School of Social Work by its Alumni Association at the school’s Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration.

Mary S. Jackson was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to Henrietta Saunders and Major S. Saunders. In her hometown, she attended Merrill High School and graduated in 1932. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Science at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 1936. Following her graduation, she worked as an elementary school teacher for the New York City public school system until she began her career at Morris Brown College, which lasted until the late 1970s. Throughout her tenure as an educator, she received numerous awards, including a proclamation from former Atlanta mayor, Andrew Young, commending her tireless community service. Additionally, she was honored with the Pi Lambda Theta National Honor Sorority Award, recognizing her as one of the outstanding educators in America. Apart from her affiliation with Pi Lambda Theta, she was also a member of the First Congregational Church and the Inquirers Club. During her free time, she enjoyed her role as a homemaker, engaging in activities such as gardening, sewing, and cooking for her family.

-Biography for William S. Jackson taken from obituary