From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Born in Lexington, KY, Valinda E. Lewis Livingston was an educator in the Lexington schools for 37 years. A graduate of old Dunbar High School, she was one of the top academic achievers in the school's history.

She graduated from Kentucky State University (KSU) with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, then earned a master's degree in elementary education from the University of Kentucky, and her principalship and supervision certificates from Eastern Kentucky University.

Her teaching career began at Booker T. Washington Elementary School prior to the full integration of the Lexington city school system. She taught at two other elementary schools before being named the principal of Russell Elementary.

Prior to her retirement, Livingston was a district administrator for six years, overseeing the students at-risk programs. Her post-retirement career included serving as a member of the Board of Examiners of Kentucky's Education Professional Standards Board, chair of the Board of Regents at Kentucky State University, President of the Baptist Women State Education Convention, vice-president of the Lexington Chapter of the KSU National Alumni Association, and Sunday School Superintendent and Music Committee Chair at Shiloh Baptist Church in Lexington.

Valinda Livingston sang professionally as a soprano with the Lexington Singers. She was also a key resource for historical researchers looking to make a connection with present day people to past events in the Lexington African American community.

The Valinda E. Livingston Endowed Student Scholarship for Teacher Education Majors was established at Kentucky State University.

Valinda E. Lewis Livingston was the daughter of Elmer and Emma Saunders Lewis. She was the wife of Joe L. Livingston. The couple is buried at Evergreen Memory Gardens Cemetery in Bourbon County, KY. 

For more see "Retired educator leaves legacy for future educators," Onward and Upward, Fall - Summer 2005 - 2006, p. 3; Alumni Spotlight - Valinda Lewis Livingston a Kentucky State University resource (webpage removed); Valinda E. Livingston at American Baptist News (online); Valinda E. Livingston obituary at the Legacy.com (online). Also, listen to an Interview with Valinda Livingston, 02/09/2009, in the SPOKE database at the UK Special Collections Research Center.