Need to Know People

Need to Know People will be a recurring feature of Reconciliation Central. You will be introduced to dynamic individuals who have had an impact on their community...irregardless of whether some might consider that influence to be positive or negative.

NEED TO KNOW

January 20, 2006

Xanthene Norris
District 23, Greenville County Councilwoman
Greenville, South Carolina







In the case of Mrs. Xanthene Sayles Norris, her contribution to Greenville County and the State of South Carolina is immeasurable. In 1986, then County Councilman Ennis Fant first introduced a motion for Greenville County to recognize the King holiday as signed into Law by then President Ronald Reagan and as prescribed by the Congress of the United States. Unfortunately for then Councillor Fant, the County Council delivered a firm "No". That "No" continued on for 19 years until a grass roots movement began in Greenville County to replace the councilmembers who continued to vote against the holiday. Councillor Norris reintroduced a proposed ordinance in 2002 which eventually lead to a changing of seat holders for then councilmembers Bunk Johnson, Steve Selby, Dozier Brooks, and former Chairwoman Phyllis Henderson.

Mrs. Norris' career as an educator and her commitment to public service have earned her a legacy of recognition.

Born in Winston Salem, North Carolina, Xanthene S. Norris grew up and attended the public schools in Greenville, South Carolina. She earned a Bachelor's Degree from Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia and a Master's Degree from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. She is a retired educator, served as Greenville County teacher, high school counselor and adult education director.

Presently, she is Greenville County Councilwoman, representing District 23, elected for three terms since 1997. She is Vice-Chairperson of the Public Safety Committee and past Chair of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee.

She is Trustee, College Ministry Chair and Personnel Chair of Springfield Baptist Church, a member of the Order of Jessamine, Life member (Cluster VIII Coordinator 1987 - 1994) Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Peace Center Board, the University Center of Greenville and past UNCF - Upstate Chair, 2005 and 2006 Gala Chair.

Her honors include 2005 Women Making History Award, 2005 Church and Community, Living Legend MLK Award, Greenville Tech Unsung Hero Award (2005), UNCF Inc. Award (2004-05), National Organization for Women Award (2003), NAACP W.F. Gibson Freedom Fighter Award (2003), Greenville Links Service Award (2003), Human Relations Award (2001), Omega Psi Phi Inc. Award (2000), American Association of University Women Honoree (1998), Martin Luther King Award (1993) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, NAACP Education Award (1992), Black Heritage Award (1992), and the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina Service Award (1991).

Ms. Norris is Local Executive Director of Miss Palmetto Scholarship Program, a Miss America Affiliate and a South Carolina Pageant Approved Judge. She has been a Greenville Democratic State Convention Delegate since 1997 and was State Democratic Delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

I invite you to visit http://greenvillecounty.org