Uncrowned Community Builders

Mrs. Verna T. Morton was born in Sumter , South Carolina . She has resided in Buffalo New York since the age of three. Mrs. Morton is a graduate of Canisius College and received a Master's of Education and Certification in School Administration and Supervision from the State University College of New York at Buffalo .

Mrs. Morton worked for the Buffalo Public School System for thirty-two years. She served as an elementary school clerk, teacher, human relations specialist and a project administrator. From 1972 through 1974 she served as a Team Leader with the National Teacher Corp. Mrs. Morton was appointed as the first director of the Magnet School Placement Office in 1988. She retired from her position with the Board of Education in 1991.

Mrs. Morton has been an active member of the St. Martin de Porres Church where she taught religious instruction. She also served on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Committee and the Advisory Board Committee for St. Aloysius Gonzaga's School.

She was a member of the following organizations: Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter; The Links, Inc., Erie County Chapter; Life Member of the N.A.A.C.P.; and the Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier, Inc.. Mrs. Morton has served on the Board of Directors of the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers Inc., the Erie County Mental Health Sub-Committee and the Humboldt YMCA Board of Managers.

Mrs. Morton has been the recipient of several awards in recognition of her community service including: the Buffalo Department of School Integration and Quality Education; the Southern Christian Leaders Award; the Self Fulfillment Award from Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Western District Baptist Association Award for Professional and Community Activities.

She continued her commitment and passion for education by continuing to mentor and tutor children and adults. During her lifetime she has motivated many individuals to return to school and fulfill their dreams. Due to her dedication and encouragement many of these individuals were able to complete their college education.

Mrs. Morton was inspired early in life to set goals and to understand the importance of education. Education was a cornerstone in her family starting with her grandparents, Samuel and Adelaide Palmer McDonald. Both graduated from Claflin College in Orangeburg , South Carolina . Their four sons became doctors. Her parents, John and Irma McDonald Thomas graduated from Morris College in Sumter , South Carolina . Irma passed away in 1945 when Verna and her brother Samuel were young children. Her father was the first African American International Representative for the AFL-CLO United Steel Workers in Buffalo , New York .
Mr. Thomas was also the recipient of the 1951 Urban League Award and the Red Cross Spaulding Award. Due to his dedication and commitment to his children, Samuel completed his education at Howard University Dental School while Verna pursued her desired to be an educator. Samuel maintained a successful dental practice in Buffalo until his death in 1990.

Mrs. Morton was married to Paul Morton and together they had two sons, Derek and Paul Morton, Jr. and six grandchildren.