News
U.S. Congress pays tribute to Voorhees' founder
April 7, 2009
During Founder's Day Convocation at Voorhees on April 7, President Cleveland L. Sellers, Jr. announced that Rep. James E. Clyburn has recently sent a letter to Voorhees, which states the U.S. Congress pays tribute to Voorhees' founder, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright-Menafee.
A portion of the letter, which was read by Sellers, from Rep. Clyburn said, “Elizabeth Evelyn Wright Menafee's life is a testament to President Lincoln's declaration that, 'it's not the years in your life that count; it's the life in your years.'"
Sellers also announced that Gov. Mark Sanford has also sent a letter of congratulations in honor of the long, rich heritage Voorhees has that makes the institution what it is today.
"The students, faculty and staff at Voorhees celebrate the journey that Elizabeth Evelyn Wright-Menafee took to establish Voorhees College," Sellers said. "Elizabeth Evelyn Wright-Menafee built a strong educational foundation for Voorhees College, and we must try to raise up her tenacity, courage and legacy for all who will listen to her story."
As Booker T. Washington, Wright-Menafee's mentor, stated, 'She came to us at Tuskegee a frail young woman without means, and as it often seemed, without the physical strength to complete her course. Voorhees stands today as a monument to this young woman's faith and persistence."
The speaker for convocation was Rev. Yvonne Singleton, who is currently employed at Voorhees as the retention specialist for the Freshman Year Experience Program.
For more information, please contact Teesa Johnson Brunson, director of communications, at 803-780-1194 or at tbrunson@voorhees.edu.