February is Black History Month, a time to honor our Black heroes and remember their contributions to our nation and communities.
Today, we remember a local hero who dedicated her life to helping others, especially children: Mrs. Lorraine Powers.
Powers was a shining light in her community of South Pittsburg, TN. She was the first African American female police officer hired on the South Pittsburg Police force, then later moved to the City of South Pittsburg to work as a clerk.
Powers passion for helping children guided her to a long career at South Pittsburg Elementary School as a teacher assistant where she taught children how to read. It is there Powers found her gift of helping students who were struggling with reading and formed a non-profit organization called E.Y.E.S. (Educating Youth Ensures Success). Her goal was to eliminate illiteracy, help children with their homework, give them guidance and encouragement.
In recognition of her many years devoted to the young people of South Pittsburg, both in the school system and through the “Educating Youth Ensures Success” (EYES) program, Lorraine Powers was selected as the SVEC “Who Powers You” winner featured in the November 2017 issue of The Tennessee Magazine. When interviewed, Powers told us she would tell her children (five boys and three girls) when they were young, “‘If you can read you can go anywhere, do anything.’ That is what I still tell the children in our EYES program.”
Powers passed away last October at the age of 93, leaving a legacy in her community that will long be remembered.