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Biographical information for "Betty Jean Hopkins Mason"

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Dr. Betty G. Hopkins Mason graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, May, 1945. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bishop College in Marshall, Texas; a Masters in Supervision and Administration from The University of California at Hayward and a Doctorate of Education from The University of Oklahoma at Norman, Oklahoma.

In June, 1995, Dr. Mason retired from a very successful career as an educator. During her 46 years of employment, she served between Texas, Kansas, Missouri, California, Indiana and Oklahoma. Positions held were school secretary, classroom teacher, reading specialist, assistant director of Title One School, assistant principal, principal, assistant personnel director, director of elementary schools, director of high schools and adult education, assistant superintendent and superintendent of two urban school districts in Gary, Indiana and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She also served, from 2002-2003, as Superintendent of the Boley Public Schools in Boley, Oklahoma. She distinguished herself as having been the first woman and first African American to be appointed assistant superintendent and superintendent in Oklahoma City. She was also the first woman superintendent in Gary, Indiana.

Dr. Mason's major accomplishment during her tenure as superintendent in Oklahoma City was having given leadership to the passage of an 89.9 million dollar bond issue, the largest school bond issue ever passed in the State of Oklahoma, at that time.

Betty Mason is a loyal member of the St. John Missionary Baptist Church where, since her retirement she serves as superintendent of the St. John Christian Heritage Academy, a pre-school through seventh grade private school ministry of the church. She is also an active member of Beta Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, and the Eastside Cultural Club of the Oklahoma City Federation of Colored Women's Club. She has sat on the Board of Directors of Black Liberated Arts, Inc. and the Boy Scouts of America, Frontier District, the Urban League, Kirkpatrick Foundation and many others over the years.

In May, 2000, her first book was published. Closed Chapter chronicles her experiences as an African American female; born in the late 20Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s and working her way up the ladder amid segregation and racism. The book can be found in local libraries.

Betty Hopkins Mason was inducted into the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame in August, 1999. Her picture hangs, among other distinguished Oklahoma educators, in the Oliver Hodge State Department of Education building located in the Capitol City of Oklahoma. In 1995, she was awarded the Silver Beaver Award in recognition of her works with the Boy Scouts of America and in 1999, the Woman of the Year Award by the Girl Scouts of America. In December, 2004, she was awarded the Human Rights Award by the Oklahoma Commission for Human Rights. She was honored as Soror of the Year by the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa in 1996; for Education Leadership by Kappa Alpha Kappa Fraternity in 1998; and Outstanding Soror by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, in 1996. She has been honored by many civic organizations and religious groups for her passionate nature and her strong convictions as a leader.

Betty Mason has been the principle speaker for many churches, civic and social organizations throughout the country.

Dr. Mason is proud of her one daughter, Trena Brown who is a Spanish teacher in the Oklahoma City Public Schools. She has one loving and talented granddaughter, Kimila Combs who is a student at the University of Central Oklahoma.

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