Uncrowned Community Builders

Ollie Viola Scott was the daughter of Mary and Thomas Scott. She was born on August 9, 1926 in Rochester, New York. Ollie attended elementary and secondary schools in the Rochester Public School System. After graduating from high school, she attended the University at Buffalo, where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Social work. She decided to remain in Buffalo after graduation. In 1949, she began employment for the Erie County Department of social Services, where she had a long and distinguished career. She retired as a Unit Supervisor from the Department.

Miss Scott encouraged many families and clients to reach their potential, especially through education. She was instrumental in initiating the Head Start Program at the Buffalo Museum of Science. She was on the committee of Excellence in Education Mentoring Program. She was one of the founders of and first African American to head the Community Action Organization. In 1969, she was named the head the anti-poverty organization and served as President for two years.

Her community service activities included: CAMAP ââ?¬â?? Minority Adoption Program; Board member of Planned Parenthood of Buffalo and Erie County; National Caucus for Black Aging; Legislative Committee on the Homeless; Mid-Erie Mental Health Board; United Way Board of Directors; Counselor at Masten P.A.L. Center; the Legislative Committee on the Homeless; Hamlin Park Association and the National Association of Community Development. Miss Scott was also a member of the NAACP and of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

She was active in St. Paulââ?¬â?¢s African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Buffalo. She was vice-president of the Council of Churches of Buffalo and Erie County, president of the Lay Advisory Committee of the Buffalo Youth Board and was a founder and President of Black Women Unlimited. She also worked with the annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration Committee for many years. In 1975, she was an award recipient of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

She was a guest speaker, moderator and adviser for numerous organizations. She enjoyed traveling and playing bridge.

She was a member of St. Paul AME Zion Church. Mrs. Scott died on February 7, 2008.