Livingston, Valinda E. Lewis

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 includes 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 sings professionally as a soprano with the Lexington Singers. She is 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 has been established at Kentucky State University.

For more see "Retired educator leaves legacy for future educators," Onward and Upward, Fall - Summer 2005 - 2006, p. 3; Alumni Spotlight - Valinda Lewis Livingston at the KSU website; and Kentucky Women in the Civil Rights Era. Also, listen to an Interview with Valinda Livingston, 2/9/2009, in SPOKEdb on the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History website.