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Title: Eugenia B. Thomas papers, 1956-2002

Predominant Dates:1995

ID: 01/BAF MS_00139

Creator: Thomas, Eugenia B (November 8, 1924-)

Extent: 0.25 Linear Feet

Languages: English [eng]

The collection consists of the papers of Eugenia B. Thomas, community activist and Parent Teacher's Association Program Director from 1956 to 2002, donated by Faye Fincher (of Miami Edison Middle School) in 1999, and Mrs. Thomas in 2004. The papers include: biographical information, certificates and awards, correspondence, newspaper clippings, newsletters, a manual/handbook, and photographs. The collection has many certificates and awards from volunteer organizations, but contains little event information.

Eugenia B. Thomas was born on November 24, 1924, in Atlanta, Georgia. The Thomas family moved from Atlanta to Miami, Florida in 1929.

Mrs. Thomas attended and graduated as Valedictorian from Booker T. Washington in 1940. She later graduated from Florida Memorial College in 1945. Eugenia later graduated  from Biscayne Development Executives Fordham School in Chicago. While attending this school, she took Public Speaking, Stage Presence, and Breath and Voice Control.

 

Mrs.Thomas began her career as a Legal Secretary with Metropolitan Dade County government office in 1971, which she held for 26 years. Within the 26 years of serving as a Legal  Secretary, Mrs. Thomas was the Manager of the first Legal Services Office in Dade County with Gwendolyn Cherry, appointed Director of Program Planning and Development for the Concentrated Employment Program (1971), became a Manpower Center Administrator with the Department of Human Resources (1973), and went to the South Florida Employment and Training Consortium.

In 1981, Mrs. Thomas was transferred to the Department of Justice Assistance, where she began her career as a Manpower Placement Officer. In 1982, she was promoted to a Special Project Administrator, and in 1986, she continued her career within the Department as a Criminal Justice Program Director. While pursing her professional career, Mrs. Thomas stayed active with the community, having been involved with 39 and more different community organizations. Mrs. Thomas received 30 honors and awards as a result of her community activisim. In 1988, she was elected the first black Parent Teacher's Association (PTA) President. Mrs. Thomas  was married to Judge Lawson E. Thomas, who was the first black judge in the south since reconstruction. She had two children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

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