Chester’s Maggie James: Leadership Lessons from the Heart of Desegregation
CHESTER, S.C. – Chester County School District (CCSD) Board
of Trustees member Maggie James likens her journey through the trauma of
desegregation to the lyrics of the gospel classic How I Got Over by
Mahalia Jackson, a song which speaks to the struggles and triumphs of the human
spirit through faith in God.
What began in the halls of Finley Junior High School for
African American students, continued through to the annals of Brockman Junior
and Chester Senior high schools nearly 60 years ago, culminating in an
integration which helped shape a woman of many firsts. James, the district’s
longest-serving school board member, was not only the first African American
woman to serve on the board, but also the first to become its chair, representing
the heart of Chester’s community.
“The fact that I was able to overcome what I faced and go on
to become the chair and vice chair of a school system that once devalued my
education makes a profound statement about my determination to never give up,”
James said.
She speaks candidly about the compassion and sense of
responsibility that drive her service.
“The compassion and genuine outlook I have for all the lives
that may have lasting impact by decisions of education that are made are of
paramount importance to me,” she said. “The future educational endeavors of the
students in this community are always foremost in my mind.”
James looks back in wonder at how her participation in the
integration process conditioned her for the ridicule she would endure in public
service across more than 30 years.
“The white children would make fun of our facial
features—lips, eyes, noses—as well as our skin color and hair,” she said.
In June 1965, during the initial stages of integration, CCSD
sent a Freedom of Choice application to every Black parent. James’ parents completed
the form and mailed it back. In August, they received an acceptance letter and
an invitation to attend an orientation.
James expected her classmates from Finley to be there, but
quickly realized most Black parents had chosen not to send their children to
the all-white Brockman Junior High School.
“My parents always ensured that my education was of
paramount importance to them as well as my spiritual and social interactions,”
said James. “The courageous (public) school choice my parents made that placed
me on the front lines of integration was a phenomenal decision for my life and
advocacy.”
James graduated from Chester Senior High School in 1970 and
later earned a diploma in general business management from York Technical
College.
She and her husband of 52 years, Robert Sr., have three
adult children—Carmen (Anthony), McClinton, Robert K. Jr. (Janine) and
Alexander C. (Teresa)—10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Beyond her board service, James worked at the Sears Catalog
Store in Chester before spending 34 years in state government at the Chester
County Department of Social Services. Fittingly, she held the title “Human
Services Specialist.”
In a recent article marking the 69th anniversary of Brown v.
Board of Education, James spoke about the isolation she felt during
integration.
“To be treated like you weren’t human,” she said, recalling
days when no one would speak to her. “The only time I saw a few other Black
students was during recess or lunchtime.”
Those experiences became lessons in leadership.
“If you are a true and effective leader, you cannot isolate
yourself from uncomfortable situations,” James said. “In leadership, you must
posture yourself to exhibit the qualities of the position you’ve attained.”
As for what comes next, James plans to continue standing on
the principles which have guided her for nearly three decades: faith, family,
service and integrity.
“God has given me the stability and strength to
endure—the unwavering love, support and trust of the community I represent,” which
she said is enough.