Speakers

Olyvia Green
The first black educator to integrate Pease Elementary School in Austin, Texas during the civil rights movement.
Sheila Sturgis Craig, MA
The first black educator to integrate Pease Elementary School in Austin, Texas during the civil rights movement.

Olyvia Brown was born in Magnolia, Arkansas on October 2,1939 to the proud parents Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Brown, Sr. The happy couple also gave birth to Mordell Brown, Mae Cathryn Brown (sisters) and Elijah Brown, Jr. (brother).

After graduating from Columbia High School in Magnolia, Arkansas in 1957, Ms. Brown attended the Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal College in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. In 1961 she obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, committing to a teaching career. As a result of her commitment, Ms. Brown taught two years in Magnolia.

On May 7, 1962, Ms. Olyvia Brown became Mrs. Olyvia Green when she wedded Sergeant Eddie Green. This union produced two sons, Bernard and Jeffery. Sergeant Green was enlisted as a Drill Sergeant in the United States Army. While in the military the Green family had the opportunity to travel abroad.

In 1967, Ms. Green moved to Austin as a widow and in 1969 she began teaching at Pease Elementary School. Unbeknownst to her, this was a pivotal turning point for the Austin Independent School District (AISD) as Ms. Green was the first black teacher to integrate Pease. Faced with blatant racism, adversity and unacceptance, Ms. Green did not allow this to manifest and interfere with her genuine passion for teaching. Ms. Green, affectionately known as the “hugging teacher”, dedicated 26 years of exceptional service to Pease and inspired generations of children and parents alike.

To date, Ms. Green is an active member of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church and diligently serves as Chairperson, Hannah Circle, Chairperson, Senior Exercise Program, Women’s Ministry, Senior Saints member and Golden Aces Rhythm and Blues Line Dancer. She also serves as Treasurer for the Cavalier Park Neighborhood Association.

Ms. Green was honored for her dedication, contributions and commitment by Pease Elementary School, recognized in Phase II, #I Am Black Austin Modern Black Portrait Exhibit, recipient of the Education Advocate Award, the Award of Black Excellence, “These are They” by St. John Regular Baptist District Association Senior Mission. Storyhouse preserved her words and photos in the form of a Portrait Video which can be visited on YouTube, acknowledged in the Achievement in Black Austin Historical Reference Guide, Volume I, received the Unsung Heroine Award, Keynote speaker for AISD Martin Luther King Celebration, City of Austin proclaimed August 4, 2016 as Olyvia Green Day, Ancestry.com interview; Pursuit of Teaching During the Civil Rights Movement and an acclaimed guest speak at numerous localities in and around the Austin area,

Her favorite pastimes are going to the movies, Austin Spurs basketball games, dancing, word search puzzles, attending noontime bible study and traveling, especially to Los Angles California to visit her three grandchildren.

“This is the day that The Lord has made, let’s rejoice and be glad in it”. (Psalm 118:24), is the scripture that is most loved by Ms. Olyvia Green a true pioneer and trailblazer.