By Victoria Green
Family and friends traveled from near and far to celebrate the 90th birthday of Gwendolyn Hill Vincent. The ambience at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel ballroom was filled with love, laughter, and cherished hugs. Mrs. Vincent, an aficionado of cowboy boots, had the ballroom adorned with beautifully decorative cowboy boots as the centerpiece on each table. The food, cake, and champagne were delicious.
Captivating the audience with her humor and outgoing personality, Emcee Ms. Tina Fox welcomed everyone with charismatic energy, setting the tone for a memorable celebration. Familiar faces in the community shared opening remarks, including Mayor Freddie O’Connell, Special Presentation by Senator Charlane Oliver, Invocation by Representative Harold Love, Performances by Mr. Tyrone Smith Review Band, and Mr. Gary Hill, a former first-grade student and singer. Special Remarks were made by Mrs. Andrea Fitzpatrick-Collins, a toast by Ms. Lauren Fields, granddaughter, and Acknowledgements by Mrs. Gwendolyn Vincent.
A beautiful flower was born on April 8, 1934, in the city of Memphis, TN. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, Mrs. Vincent matriculated at Tennessee State University, receiving her B.S., M.Ed., and thirty-plus educational hours. After graduating, she began a two-year journey as an educator teaching in Memphis, TN, and then advanced into the Metropolitan Nashville School System, remaining there until her retirement. Mrs. Vincent was a resolute servant of the community and received numerous awards, nominations, and recognitions.
She was an active member of the Metropolitan Nashville Educational Association, Tennessee Education Association, and National Educational Association. She served as former president of MNEA, Alpha Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Music City Nashville Chapter of The Links Inc., Faith Unlimited Civic Club, and Tennessee State University Alumni Association, Nashville Chapter. Mrs. Vincent has been a candidate in past elections seeking positions on the Metro Council and the Metropolitan School Board. She is an active member of First Baptist Church Capitol Hill.
A highlight of Mrs. Vincent’s teaching career was receiving an award from Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) to attend the International Reading Conference in Sweden, and further traveling to Norway and Denmark. She presently serves on the Education Task Force, Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators, and Board of Directors for Reading is Fundamental. The Tennessee State University Alumni Association Nashville Chapter, annual Mrs. Gwendolyn Vincent Holiday Brunch is held in her honor to raise money for scholarships. Iconic community activists are spotlighted. Her Legacy continues to shine throughout all generations.
Mrs. Gwendolyn Vincent’s interview revealed her secrets to a long, fulfilling life. When asked about her secret to living to see ninety, she says, “My secret to living to be ninety is trying to be productive, be happy, help other people, I love and enjoy life. I believe God has let me be here. I have enjoyed life with my daughter, grandchildren, friends, civic organizations, church family, political life, lobbying, and life with MNEA,”
When asked what started her liking for cowboy boots, she explained, “I loved to wear high heel shoes even when I taught school. I eventually had my hip replaced and had to stop wearing high heels and when I wore my first pair of cowboy boots it felt good. The boots come in all kinds of styles and colors. I have collected about twenty pair over the years.”
What was the highlight of your birthday party? “I enjoyed seeing all the different groups of people that I have known over the years, the mayor, and my Senator.”
Being an educator, what would you say the students admired about you the most? “I would make them feel comfortable and bring out the best in them. I love people and each person is different. The role of a teacher is to see each student as an individual, see their need and make them feel good about themselves.” What advice would you give someone that was reading your story? “I would tell them to truly believe in yourself, see the best in other people, and try to enjoy what you do.”
