MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2011 1st Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Hines, Bailey

House Resolution 12

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DEDICATED SERVICE OF MRS. ESTELLE S. PRYOR AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF HER BECOMING THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN FEMALE ELECTED OFFICIAL IN WASHINGTON COUNTY UPON HER ELECTION TO THE OFFICE OF CIRCUIT CLERK IN 1972.

     WHEREAS, Estelle S. Pryor, born in the Black Bayou community of Wilmont, Washington County, Mississippi, one of eight children to sharecropper parents, has always known the struggle of overcoming adversity to achieve success, an innate wisdom that would prove itself beneficial in allowing her to become an admirable component of Mississippi's living history, upon being the first African-American female elected to public office in Washington County since reconstruction, upon a successful bid for the post of circuit clerk in 1972; and

     WHEREAS, one who was always active in voter registration before and during the Civil Rights Movement, Mrs. Pryor, while attempting to register to vote, was asked by the circuit clerk at that time to fill out an application for employment, and became the first African-American female hired in the Washington County Courthouse in 1967 as deputy circuit clerk, before being later promoted to the position of chief deputy clerk, thus commencing her 30-year career in public service to the citizens of Washington County; and

     WHEREAS, an alum of Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU), Mrs. Pryor, a certified teacher and licensed nurse at the time of her employment with the circuit clerk's office, learned her responsibility as deputy clerk through on-the-job experience and the quiet encouragement and comfort of concerned judges and lawyers with whom she worked, in addition to undergoing continued education courses through the University of Mississippi Judicial College; and

     WHEREAS, driven by the constant reminder of her mother's words to "keep striving," Pryor continued to excel despite personal setbacks, sometimes working multiple jobs to provide for her children, immersing herself in the responsibilities associated with the tasks assigned to her; and

     WHEREAS, grateful to God for his bountiful blessings bestowed upon her throughout her epic journey of three terms as circuit clerk and for allowing her to be the pioneer whose footprints would lead other women and minorities into politics, in addition to having also achieved pioneer status as the first African-American female to serve as State Director of Education for the Internal Association of Clerks, Recorders and Public Officials; and

     WHEREAS, appointed by MVSU to serve on the Inter-Alumni Council of Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, Pryor always found a means to remain engaged in various community, civic and professional affiliations so as to give back to her community, as evidenced by her associations with:  the MVSU Alumni Association, Leadership of Washington County and Greenville, cofounder and charter member of the Washington County African-American female AIDS/HIV Network Association, Nelson Street Revitalization Development Heritage Association, the Winterville Mound Heritage Association, the Live Oak Cemetery Association, the Mississippi Economic Council, the National Council of Negro Women, Board of Directors for the Delta Health Center in Mound Bayou and the historical St. Matthew A.M.E. Church; and

     WHEREAS, with such a remarkable record of matchless service, it becomes quite evident why her legacy has been honored with such awards and commendations as:  the MVSU Hall of Fame, the prestigious MVSU Pioneer Award and Hall of Fame for the Southern Rural Black Women's Initiative for Economic and Social Justice; and

     WHEREAS, having adopted as her motto, the scriptural passage, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," Mrs. Pryor  instilled this principle into the core fabric of her children, Herbert Griggs and Cheryl P. Razor; grandchildren, Zachary Parker Jackson and PyThea Griggs; and great-grandchild, Jacob Griggs, each of whom have been a driving force behind her ambitious and benevolent humanitarian spirit; and

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to pay tribute to such remarkably impressionable individuals as Mrs. Pryor, whose life and service have become an historical testament of the legacy of a living Mississippi legend:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the dedicated service of Mrs. Estelle S. Pryor, acknowledge the historical significance of her becoming the first African-American female elected official in Washington County upon her election to the office of circuit clerk in 1972, and extend warmest wishes for continued joy and peace for many years to come.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Pryor and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.