Matheson History Museum presents “Cora Roberson: Gainesville’s Own Hidden Figure” with Yvette Carter on October 30
Press release from Matheson History Museum
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Cora Roberson, the first woman to run for elected office in the City of Gainesville, cracked the glass ceiling that was soon shattered by women being elected to office. Mrs. Roberson was a graduate of Lincoln High School, Florida Memorial College (BA Science), and Tuskegee Institute (MA Education). She taught at A. Quinn Jones and other elementary schools in Alachua County.
Mrs. Roberson was the first woman to run for a seat on the Gainesville City Commission in 1968, the first Black woman to teach white students at Kirby Smith Elementary School, a founding member of the first Black Greek-lettered organization in Alachua County – Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. − and the first director of the Alachua County Head Start program for 34 years. She was also a founding member of the Gainesville Women for Equal Rights, which was instrumental in desegregating the Gainesville Library, Alachua General Hospital, and more.
Yvette Carter, the Government Affairs and Community Relations Director at Gainesville Regional Utilities and fellow Zeta sister of the late Cora Roberson, will share more about Mrs. Roberson’s fascinating life and long-reaching legacy. This program is hosted in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Alachua County.
When: 7 p.m. on October 30, free with registration
In-person registration: https://mathesonmuseum.networkforgood.com/events/77892-cora- roberson-gainesville-s-own-hidden-figure
Zoom registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SW2yj5n2SpuSyM94RcwANQ
Yvette Carter
S. Yvette Carter embodies the spirit of service, dedicating her life to empowering others through community engagement and advocacy. In college, she joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., which solidified her love for community service and advocating for social justice. She is deeply passionate about all things related to inclusion, belonging, access, and equity.
Yvette actively serves as a community resource in her professional career. She has worked at Gainesville Regional Utilities (the City of Gainesville) for nearly 13 years, where she currently serves as the Government Affairs and Community Relations Director. In this role, she is responsible for the City’s governmental interactions at the local, state, and federal levels; community outreach, community partnerships, community engagement, and community investments.
She proudly received the honor of being named one of Business in Greater Gainesville Magazine’s 2016 Fierce Award winners; was recognized by Girls Scouts Gateway Council as a recipient of the 2017 Women Who Make a Difference award; was awarded the Community Service Award by the Alachua County Branch of NAACP; and was honored by Santa Fe College as one of its 2023 Women of Distinction.
She is a proud 32-year member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. – Delta Sigma Zeta chapter and is the current chapter president.
She graduated from the University of Florida with a BS in Family, Youth and Community Sciences with a concentration in Community Development and minor in Education. She is proud of her family, which includes husband Wade; children LaKisha, Britney, Joe, John, and Jordan; and her beloved grandchildren Landon, Lauren, Ze’ta, Liam, and Logan.
This program is sponsored in part by Visit Gainesville/Alachua County, FL; The City of Gainesville; and by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council of the Arts and Culture, and the State of Florida.