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On Saturday, February 1, 2003 hundreds of local and national leaders, educators, associates and friends came together to dedicate the Laura Nobles Banks Elementary School, a new school in the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD). Only the fourth school named after an African-American in the entire school district, the naming of a school in Dr. Banks' honor capped a long and very successful career for this outstanding educator.
According to Dr. Tina Coleman Puckett, who wrote about the ceremony for the dedication's website, "When attendees arrived just before 10:00 a.m., they found a beautiful, proudly smiling Dr. Banks standing in the main hallway, greeting each guest who arrived. Always beautifully dressed and coiffed, Dr. Banks had color coordinated her pink and mint green leather suit to match the colors of the building."
The buildings color scheme was a testament to the fact that Dr. Banks also has a history as a life-long, dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Many members of the sorority were in attendance to celebrate one of its members who is not only one of the founders of the local Tucson Chapter, but who has also served in a leadership capacity at the local, regional and national levels as well.
Final remarks at the dedication were delivered by Dr. Banks who dedicated the day to her encourager, mentor and friend, her late mother, Mrs. Missouri Nobles. She also acknowledged her late husband, Jack, who always encouraged her to “reach for the zenith of her aspirations and hopes”. She and Jack were married for 48 years. Lastly, she announced that she had established a special endowment fund to benefit the children of her school, affectionately known as “Laura’s Kids”.
Dr. Banks was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona and attended Tucson Public Schools. She earned four degrees from the University of Arizona: her bachelor’s degree in 1943, a master’s degree in 1966, she was the very first at the U. of A. to receive an education specialist degree in 1970 and she was awarded her doctorate in 1980. Her professional career was dedicated to TUSD and included positions as teacher, principal, and K-12 Coordinator of Reading Programs. In 1980, she was selected as the first African American Assistant Superintendent in TUSD and retired from that position in 1982. Dr. Banks now resides in San Antonio, Texas where, according to Dr. Puckett, "she is still touching lives, evidenced by her continuing service to humanity".
For more information and photos of Dr. Laura Banks and the school dedication, please visit the website constructed and dedicated to her by EbonyTucson.com at LauraNoblesBanks.com.
This article is courtesy of W.G. Ballard Designs Women of Style, Spirit and Success
.http://www.mgballarddesigns.com/WomenofSSS/