A powerhouse and Mississippi’s longest serving female legislator will be honored by her alma mater, Alcorn State University, this weekend.
An invitation-only brunch has been planned to celebrate the legacy of Rep. Alyce Griffin Clarke on Saturday, October 28, at 11 a.m. in the Ecology Building on the Lorman campus. During pre-game of the football game against Mississippi Valley State, she will be recognized on field for her contributions.
“Rep. Alyce Clarke is a legend in Mississippi and beyond,” said Dr. Tracy Cook, interim president. “Throughout her career, she has worked diligently to provide access for the underserved and make our state a better place. She shattered glass ceilings by becoming the first female African American woman elected to the Mississippi Legislature and led the charge to bring the lottery to Mississippi, among many other milestones. It is befitting that we honor one of our fellow Alcornites for her nearly four decades of service to our state and Alcorn with Rep. Alyce Griffin Clarke Day to celebrate her rich legacy.”
Clarke broke barriers by becoming the first African-American woman elected to the Mississippi Legislature in 1985.
Throughout her legislative career, she continued to make an impact as she championed equal rights for many disadvantaged groups. The causes that she took on ranged from drug addiction, proper nutrition for families to leading the charge to bring the lottery to Mississippi to help improve education and the state’s highways.
“The Rep. Alyce Griffin Clarke ’61 Day is a tremendously special moment for the Alcorn family to present Mrs. Clarke with her flowers and celebrate her for all that she has sacrificed and given,” said Dr. Marcus Ward, vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the ASU Foundation, Inc. “Alcorn State University, and indeed, the state of Mississippi has been truly blessed to have such a trailblazing alumnae advocate as strong and impactful as Rep. Alyce Griffin Clarke has been in the Mississippi legislature.
Clarke began her career as a home economics teacher but later became a nutritionist.
She received her undergraduate degree from Alcorn State University in 1961 and attended Tuskegee University.
Additionally, Clarke is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alcorn State University National Alumni Association, Jack & Jill of America, Inc., MS Public Health Association, Regional Association of Drug-Free Schools and Communities, and Mississippi PTA.
“She has earned a rich legacy that has touched and made a difference for so many families and people,” said Ward. “We thank her immensely for her service and look forward to celebrating her legacy of leadership on this special day.”
