Civic leader, philanthropist, and trailblazer, Ada Cecilia Collins Anderson left us with a challenging legacy of service on June 3, 2021. Her tenacity came from examples set by her parents, Walter Gabriel Collins and Cecilia Rucker Collins of Pilot Knob, Texas. She learned early on what can happen when determination coexists with opportunity. Ada never gave up!
Ada was born October 2, 1921, in Pilot Knob, Texas, the fourth of nine children. It was here that she received her early education at the Pilot Knob Elementary School built and funded by her paternal grandfather on land he owned. It was also here that she learned from her family the importance of education, ownership of property and businesses to overcome social, racial, and economic injustice. After moving to Austin, Ada graduated from L.C. Anderson High School at the age of 14 which remained segregated until 1971. Mrs. Anderson matriculated at Austin's two predominantly black colleges, Samuel Huston and Tillotson, now part of Huston-Tillotson University, where she received a degree in home economics in1941.
Ada became the first of many. She became the first African American to enroll at the University of Texas Graduate School of Library Science. In 1951, Ada finished the coursework for a M.S. degree in library science at the University of Texas at Austin. However, she was not awarded that degree because she was denied a field placement at the Texas State Library which because of segregation excluded blacks. This experience cemented Ada's commitment to fighting for civil rights and equal opportunities for minorities in Austin and throughout the state. Ada was undaunted. She later returned to UT and earned a Master's degree in educational psychology and subsequently completed graduate courses in business and finance at Northwestern University.
For 61 years Ada was happily married to Marcellus J. "Andy" Anderson with whom she shared an amazing life. Nothing brought her more joy than her role as mother to her accomplished children, Sandra Joy Anderson Baccus and Marcellus Jack Anderson. She made sure that her own children, pursued higher education. Her daughter, Sandra Anderson Baccus, earned a bachelor's degree in government studies at Boston University and a master's degree in education from the City College of New York. Her son, Marcellus Jack Anderson Jr., graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Professionally, Ada worked for the Texas Employment Commission as an employment counselor and labored tirelessly to improve the wages and working conditions of Black domestic workers. She went on to teach for the Austin Independent School District, where she later became a psychometrist. In 1953, she became a partner with her husband Andy Anderson in the establishment and ownership of the Anderson-Wormley Real Estate and Insurance Company. Andy Anderson became the first African American real estate agent in the South.
Ada was a skilled organizer and fundraiser. She was a founding member of the Austin chapter of Jack and Jill of America and served as both a National corresponding secretary and its South Central regional director. Later she led successful peaceful protests against the segregated Ice Palace Skating Rink .She organized and directed the Leadership Enrichment Arts Program (LEAP) for more than 10 years which introduced underserved African American youth to the arts. At the behest of her friend, Lady Bird Johnson, she facilitated two exhibitions of African American artists at the LBJ Library and Museum. She coordinated voter registration and get out the vote campaigns that mobilized thousands throughout Texas. Through her political activism aligned with the Democratic Party, she and her husband became personal friends with the late Governor John Connally and the late President Lyndon Baines Johnson.
In 1964, she helped found the Austin Human Relations Commission, now the Human Rights Commission, which advises the City Council on issues of racial, religious, or ethnic discrimination to promote equal opportunity. "She's everyone's hero, whether you are young or old, black or white, rich or poor" Luci Baines Johnson, said at the time about Anderson. "She's someone we all want to be like" (American Statesman)
In a 1982 landmark election to the Austin Community College Board, Ada was the first African American to win a countywide election in Travis County. She also became the first black woman to sit on a bank board in Austin.
Ada received many accolades including her selection into the Texas Black Women's Hall of Fame and the African American Women's Hall of Fame both in 1986. She was named Woman of the Year by the Women's Symphony League of Austin and she co-chaired the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Task Force for the Austin Independent School District. Her ties to the school board remained strong and in 2006 she was celebrated by the Austin School District Board of Trustees as an Outstanding Alumna in their Alumni Hall of Fame. The Austin Board of Realtors recognized Ada as Austin's Most Worthy Citizen for her community service.
Ada received significant recognition from Huston-Tillotson University and the University of Texas at Austin. Huston-Tillotson awarded Ada the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for recognition of her dedicated service and generosity. The University of Texas at Austin recognized Ada's contributions to the Austin community and beyond by presenting her with the University of Texas Community Legacy Award and the prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Award.
In memory of her late daughter, Sandra Joy Anderson, Ada donated $3 Million to Huston-Tillotson University in 2014 for the Sandra Joy Anderson Community Health and Wellness Center. This was the largest gift in the University's history.
Ada was a devoted member of Ebenezer Third Baptist Church. She was a proud member of The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Ada was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, her son, M.J. Anderson, Jr., her daughter, Sandra Joy Anderson Baccus, and seven siblings. She is survived by one sister, Thelma Jean Collins of Austin, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout the country.
Ada was born October 2, 1921, in Pilot Knob, Texas, the fourth of nine children. It was here that she received her early education at the Pilot Knob Elementary School built and funded by her paternal grandfather on land he owned. It was also here that she learned from her family the importance of education, ownership of property and businesses to overcome social, racial, and economic injustice. After moving to Austin, Ada graduated from L.C. Anderson High School at the age of 14 which remained segregated until 1971. Mrs. Anderson matriculated at Austin's two predominantly black colleges, Samuel Huston and Tillotson, now part of Huston-Tillotson University, where she received a degree in home economics in1941.
Ada became the first of many. She became the first African American to enroll at the University of Texas Graduate School of Library Science. In 1951, Ada finished the coursework for a M.S. degree in library science at the University of Texas at Austin. However, she was not awarded that degree because she was denied a field placement at the Texas State Library which because of segregation excluded blacks. This experience cemented Ada's commitment to fighting for civil rights and equal opportunities for minorities in Austin and throughout the state. Ada was undaunted. She later returned to UT and earned a Master's degree in educational psychology and subsequently completed graduate courses in business and finance at Northwestern University.
For 61 years Ada was happily married to Marcellus J. "Andy" Anderson with whom she shared an amazing life. Nothing brought her more joy than her role as mother to her accomplished children, Sandra Joy Anderson Baccus and Marcellus Jack Anderson. She made sure that her own children, pursued higher education. Her daughter, Sandra Anderson Baccus, earned a bachelor's degree in government studies at Boston University and a master's degree in education from the City College of New York. Her son, Marcellus Jack Anderson Jr., graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Professionally, Ada worked for the Texas Employment Commission as an employment counselor and labored tirelessly to improve the wages and working conditions of Black domestic workers. She went on to teach for the Austin Independent School District, where she later became a psychometrist. In 1953, she became a partner with her husband Andy Anderson in the establishment and ownership of the Anderson-Wormley Real Estate and Insurance Company. Andy Anderson became the first African American real estate agent in the South.
Ada was a skilled organizer and fundraiser. She was a founding member of the Austin chapter of Jack and Jill of America and served as both a National corresponding secretary and its South Central regional director. Later she led successful peaceful protests against the segregated Ice Palace Skating Rink .She organized and directed the Leadership Enrichment Arts Program (LEAP) for more than 10 years which introduced underserved African American youth to the arts. At the behest of her friend, Lady Bird Johnson, she facilitated two exhibitions of African American artists at the LBJ Library and Museum. She coordinated voter registration and get out the vote campaigns that mobilized thousands throughout Texas. Through her political activism aligned with the Democratic Party, she and her husband became personal friends with the late Governor John Connally and the late President Lyndon Baines Johnson.
In 1964, she helped found the Austin Human Relations Commission, now the Human Rights Commission, which advises the City Council on issues of racial, religious, or ethnic discrimination to promote equal opportunity. "She's everyone's hero, whether you are young or old, black or white, rich or poor" Luci Baines Johnson, said at the time about Anderson. "She's someone we all want to be like" (American Statesman)
In a 1982 landmark election to the Austin Community College Board, Ada was the first African American to win a countywide election in Travis County. She also became the first black woman to sit on a bank board in Austin.
Ada received many accolades including her selection into the Texas Black Women's Hall of Fame and the African American Women's Hall of Fame both in 1986. She was named Woman of the Year by the Women's Symphony League of Austin and she co-chaired the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Task Force for the Austin Independent School District. Her ties to the school board remained strong and in 2006 she was celebrated by the Austin School District Board of Trustees as an Outstanding Alumna in their Alumni Hall of Fame. The Austin Board of Realtors recognized Ada as Austin's Most Worthy Citizen for her community service.
Ada received significant recognition from Huston-Tillotson University and the University of Texas at Austin. Huston-Tillotson awarded Ada the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for recognition of her dedicated service and generosity. The University of Texas at Austin recognized Ada's contributions to the Austin community and beyond by presenting her with the University of Texas Community Legacy Award and the prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Award.
In memory of her late daughter, Sandra Joy Anderson, Ada donated $3 Million to Huston-Tillotson University in 2014 for the Sandra Joy Anderson Community Health and Wellness Center. This was the largest gift in the University's history.
Ada was a devoted member of Ebenezer Third Baptist Church. She was a proud member of The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Ada was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, her son, M.J. Anderson, Jr., her daughter, Sandra Joy Anderson Baccus, and seven siblings. She is survived by one sister, Thelma Jean Collins of Austin, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout the country.
Civic leader, philanthropist, and trailblazer, Ada Cecilia Collins Anderson left us with a challenging legacy of service on June 3, 2021. Her tenacity came from examples set by her parents, Walter Gabriel Collins and Cecilia Rucker Collins of Pilot Knob, Texas. She learned early on what can happen when determination coexists with opportunity. Ada never gave up!
Ada was born October 2, 1921, in Pilot Knob, Texas, the fourth of nine children. It was here that she received her early education at the Pilot Knob Elementary School built and funded by her paternal grandfather on land he owned. It was also here that she learned from her family the importance of education, ownership of property and businesses to overcome social, racial, and economic injustice. After moving to Austin, Ada graduated from L.C. Anderson High School at the age of 14 which remained segregated until 1971. Mrs. Anderson matriculated at Austin's two predominantly black colleges, Samuel Huston and Tillotson, now part of Huston-Tillotson University, where she received a degree in home economics in1941.
Ada became the first of many. She became the first African American to enroll at the University of Texas Graduate School of Library Science. In 1951, Ada finished the coursework for a M.S. degree in library science at the University of Texas at Austin. However, she was not awarded that degree because she was denied a field placement at the Texas State Library which because of segregation excluded blacks. This experience cemented Ada's commitment to fighting for civil rights and equal opportunities for minorities in Austin and throughout the state. Ada was undaunted. She later returned to UT and earned a Master's degree in educational psychology and subsequently completed graduate courses in business and finance at Northwestern University.
For 61 years Ada was happily married to Marcellus J. "Andy" Anderson with whom she shared an amazing life. Nothing brought her more joy than her role as mother to her accomplished children, Sandra Joy Anderson Baccus and Marcellus Jack Anderson. She made sure that her own children, pursued higher education. Her daughter, Sandra Anderson Baccus, earned a bachelor's degree in government studies at Boston University and a master's degree in education from the City College of New York. Her son, Marcellus Jack Anderson Jr., graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Professionally, Ada worked for the Texas Employment Commission as an employment counselor and labored tirelessly to improve the wages and working conditions of Black domestic workers. She went on to teach for the Austin Independent School District, where she later became a psychometrist. In 1953, she became a partner with her husband Andy Anderson in the establishment and ownership of the Anderson-Wormley Real Estate and Insurance Company. Andy Anderson became the first African American real estate agent in the South.
Ada was a skilled organizer and fundraiser. She was a founding member of the Austin chapter of Jack and Jill of America and served as both a National corresponding secretary and its South Central regional director. Later she led successful peaceful protests against the segregated Ice Palace Skating Rink .She organized and directed the Leadership Enrichment Arts Program (LEAP) for more than 10 years which introduced underserved African American youth to the arts. At the behest of her friend, Lady Bird Johnson, she facilitated two exhibitions of African American artists at the LBJ Library and Museum. She coordinated voter registration and get out the vote campaigns that mobilized thousands throughout Texas. Through her political activism aligned with the Democratic Party, she and her husband became personal friends with the late Governor John Connally and the late President Lyndon Baines Johnson.
In 1964, she helped found the Austin Human Relations Commission, now the Human Rights Commission, which advises the City Council on issues of racial, religious, or ethnic discrimination to promote equal opportunity. "She's everyone's hero, whether you are young or old, black or white, rich or poor" Luci Baines Johnson, said at the time about Anderson. "She's someone we all want to be like" (American Statesman)
In a 1982 landmark election to the Austin Community College Board, Ada was the first African American to win a countywide election in Travis County. She also became the first black woman to sit on a bank board in Austin.
Ada received many accolades including her selection into the Texas Black Women's Hall of Fame and the African American Women's Hall of Fame both in 1986. She was named Woman of the Year by the Women's Symphony League of Austin and she co-chaired the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Task Force for the Austin Independent School District. Her ties to the school board remained strong and in 2006 she was celebrated by the Austin School District Board of Trustees as an Outstanding Alumna in their Alumni Hall of Fame. The Austin Board of Realtors recognized Ada as Austin's Most Worthy Citizen for her community service.
Ada received significant recognition from Huston-Tillotson University and the University of Texas at Austin. Huston-Tillotson awarded Ada the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for recognition of her dedicated service and generosity. The University of Texas at Austin recognized Ada's contributions to the Austin community and beyond by presenting her with the University of Texas Community Legacy Award and the prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Award.
In memory of her late daughter, Sandra Joy Anderson, Ada donated $3 Million to Huston-Tillotson University in 2014 for the Sandra Joy Anderson Community Health and Wellness Center. This was the largest gift in the University's history.
Ada was a devoted member of Ebenezer Third Baptist Church. She was a proud member of The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Ada was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, her son, M.J. Anderson, Jr., her daughter, Sandra Joy Anderson Baccus, and seven siblings. She is survived by one sister, Thelma Jean Collins of Austin, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout the country.
Ada was born October 2, 1921, in Pilot Knob, Texas, the fourth of nine children. It was here that she received her early education at the Pilot Knob Elementary School built and funded by her paternal grandfather on land he owned. It was also here that she learned from her family the importance of education, ownership of property and businesses to overcome social, racial, and economic injustice. After moving to Austin, Ada graduated from L.C. Anderson High School at the age of 14 which remained segregated until 1971. Mrs. Anderson matriculated at Austin's two predominantly black colleges, Samuel Huston and Tillotson, now part of Huston-Tillotson University, where she received a degree in home economics in1941.
Ada became the first of many. She became the first African American to enroll at the University of Texas Graduate School of Library Science. In 1951, Ada finished the coursework for a M.S. degree in library science at the University of Texas at Austin. However, she was not awarded that degree because she was denied a field placement at the Texas State Library which because of segregation excluded blacks. This experience cemented Ada's commitment to fighting for civil rights and equal opportunities for minorities in Austin and throughout the state. Ada was undaunted. She later returned to UT and earned a Master's degree in educational psychology and subsequently completed graduate courses in business and finance at Northwestern University.
For 61 years Ada was happily married to Marcellus J. "Andy" Anderson with whom she shared an amazing life. Nothing brought her more joy than her role as mother to her accomplished children, Sandra Joy Anderson Baccus and Marcellus Jack Anderson. She made sure that her own children, pursued higher education. Her daughter, Sandra Anderson Baccus, earned a bachelor's degree in government studies at Boston University and a master's degree in education from the City College of New York. Her son, Marcellus Jack Anderson Jr., graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Professionally, Ada worked for the Texas Employment Commission as an employment counselor and labored tirelessly to improve the wages and working conditions of Black domestic workers. She went on to teach for the Austin Independent School District, where she later became a psychometrist. In 1953, she became a partner with her husband Andy Anderson in the establishment and ownership of the Anderson-Wormley Real Estate and Insurance Company. Andy Anderson became the first African American real estate agent in the South.
Ada was a skilled organizer and fundraiser. She was a founding member of the Austin chapter of Jack and Jill of America and served as both a National corresponding secretary and its South Central regional director. Later she led successful peaceful protests against the segregated Ice Palace Skating Rink .She organized and directed the Leadership Enrichment Arts Program (LEAP) for more than 10 years which introduced underserved African American youth to the arts. At the behest of her friend, Lady Bird Johnson, she facilitated two exhibitions of African American artists at the LBJ Library and Museum. She coordinated voter registration and get out the vote campaigns that mobilized thousands throughout Texas. Through her political activism aligned with the Democratic Party, she and her husband became personal friends with the late Governor John Connally and the late President Lyndon Baines Johnson.
In 1964, she helped found the Austin Human Relations Commission, now the Human Rights Commission, which advises the City Council on issues of racial, religious, or ethnic discrimination to promote equal opportunity. "She's everyone's hero, whether you are young or old, black or white, rich or poor" Luci Baines Johnson, said at the time about Anderson. "She's someone we all want to be like" (American Statesman)
In a 1982 landmark election to the Austin Community College Board, Ada was the first African American to win a countywide election in Travis County. She also became the first black woman to sit on a bank board in Austin.
Ada received many accolades including her selection into the Texas Black Women's Hall of Fame and the African American Women's Hall of Fame both in 1986. She was named Woman of the Year by the Women's Symphony League of Austin and she co-chaired the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Task Force for the Austin Independent School District. Her ties to the school board remained strong and in 2006 she was celebrated by the Austin School District Board of Trustees as an Outstanding Alumna in their Alumni Hall of Fame. The Austin Board of Realtors recognized Ada as Austin's Most Worthy Citizen for her community service.
Ada received significant recognition from Huston-Tillotson University and the University of Texas at Austin. Huston-Tillotson awarded Ada the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for recognition of her dedicated service and generosity. The University of Texas at Austin recognized Ada's contributions to the Austin community and beyond by presenting her with the University of Texas Community Legacy Award and the prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Award.
In memory of her late daughter, Sandra Joy Anderson, Ada donated $3 Million to Huston-Tillotson University in 2014 for the Sandra Joy Anderson Community Health and Wellness Center. This was the largest gift in the University's history.
Ada was a devoted member of Ebenezer Third Baptist Church. She was a proud member of The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Ada was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, her son, M.J. Anderson, Jr., her daughter, Sandra Joy Anderson Baccus, and seven siblings. She is survived by one sister, Thelma Jean Collins of Austin, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout the country.
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