Uncrowned Community Builders

Violet was born in Clearview, Oklahoma (Okfuskee County). She is married to Lee V. Patterson, Sr. and is the mother of 4 adult children and 4 grand children. She graduated from Clearview High School, Clearview, Oklahoma and studied at Oklahoma State University and Langston University. She has a M. S. Degree, Vocational Business Education, and a B.S. Degree, Business Education.

Ms. Pattersonââ?¬â?¢s achievements are numerous and include Instructor in Children's Division, National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, USA, Inc. for 31 years;Second Vice President, State Woman's Auxiliary of Oklahoma Missionary Baptist State Convention, Inc.,; President of First United Baptist District Women's Missionary Union, Tulsa; Life Member, Langston University National Alumni Association, Inc.; Served as National President and held other offices and committee assignments.

She is a Life Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and held several offices including office of chapter Basileus. She was the first black to serve as State President of Vocational Business and Office Education, 1982-83 as well as the first black to serve as President of Tulsa Chapter Administrative Management Society, 1987-88. She received the Diamond Merit Award for service to Chapter, 1986 and others. Throughout her numerous years of service she has conducted a number of successful programs including the Tutorial Program at Morning Star Baptist Church.

Numerous organizations benefit from her participation and leadership and include Vice President of League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Tulsa; Editor and Past President - Church Women United, Saturday Unit; Secretary, Tulsa Chapter, Langston University National Alumni Association, Inc.

Each of the organizations benefits from her special skills, e.g., in organizing and conducting workshops in Christian Education, Sunday school and Women's Missionary Union. She also serves as guest speaker at local and State churches.

Ms. Patterson has received numerous awards for her outstanding community service. A recent award includes the Pinnacle Award, Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women, Area of Education, March, 2006. Other awards include the Don Newby/Ben Hill Award, Tulsa Metropolitan Ministries, April, 2001. She was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame 2000, Booker T. Washington High School. Ms. Patterson was honored by Modern Woodmen of America and was selected as "Woman of the Year," May 2000. Other awards for service include the Outstanding Educational Service Award from Business Management Department at Langston University/UCT, 1993; Outstanding Community Service Award, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, 1992 and Outstanding Oklahoma Business Educator of Vocational Business and Office Education, 1982.

Ms. Patterson has been a member of Morning Star Baptist Church for 43 years where she serves as Sunday school teacher, deaconess, Women's Missionary Union, Board of Christian Education, and presently serving as Chairperson of Pastoral Search Committee.