[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 145 (Friday, September 8, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E818-E819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE AND LEGACY OF INA YVONNE WHISENHUNT 
                                TILLMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 8, 2023

  Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life 
and legacy of an educator, administrator, and all-around phenomenal 
woman, Ina Yvonne Whisenhunt Tillman, who passed away on August 8, 
2023, at the age of 85.
  Ina was born in Vredenburgh, Alabama, to the late Martha Packer 
Whisenhunt and Walter Carver Whisenhunt, Sr. Upon graduating high 
school, Ina followed her passion for education at Alabama State 
University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education in 
1960. Returning home from Montgomery as a teacher, Ina spent the next 
decade teaching in the Selma City School System.
  As a college student, Ina was inspired to get involved in the fight 
for civil rights by influential activists like Thelma M. Glass and 
Attorney E.D. Nixon, who served as her professors and frequent 
speakers. When she returned to Selma, she continued to stay involved in 
the Movement, participating in numerous marches and demonstrations. She 
was a proud member of the Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, where she heard 
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak, solidifying her commitment to 
fighting for liberty, equality, and justice for all, especially the 
African-American community. Bringing her activism to her classroom, Ina 
bravely

[[Page E819]]

took on the task as 1 of the first Black teachers to integrate Cedar 
Park Elementary School.
  In 1971, Ina left home again, relocating to Mobile, AL, to advance 
her career in academia. She served as the Educational Director of Head 
Start in Pascagoula, MS, before transitioning into the Mobile County 
School System as a Title-IV Assistant Director and Chapter I Assistant 
Director. Ina made her mark as a dynamic educator and always worked to 
improve the lives of her students both inside and outside the 
classroom. Aspiring to become a principal, Ina continued her education 
at the University of South Alabama, earning her master's degree in 1974 
and then at the University of Alabama for her associate's degree 2 
years later.
  Following a battle between local Black educators and the school 
system, where a judge ruled in favor of the educators regarding 
discriminatory hiring practices, Ina accomplished her goal, becoming 
the Assistant Principal of Mattie T. Blount High School. She later 
served as Principal of E.T. Belsaw/Mt. Vernon School until her 
retirement in 1995.
  Throughout her life, Ina was an active member of her community, no 
matter where she relocated. She was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta 
Sorority, Incorporated; The Links, Incorporated; and Phi Delta Kappa.
  She also received many awards and recognitions, including the 
Outstanding Educational Service Award from Blount High School; the 
Outstanding Educator Award from Phi Delta Kappa; the Top Career Woman 
of the Year in 1988; and the Area Director's Award from The Links, Inc.
  Later in life, Ina expanded her community impact through the written 
word. She authored books and papers, even writing one on her life 
growing up in Selma, titled ``Just Live,'' a complication of short 
stories. Ina's penmanship led her to contribute to the Mobile Press-
Register and win first place in the 1992 National Convention of Delta 
Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for her position paper.
  Ina's is preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Willie 
James Whisenhunt and Walter Carver Whisenhunt, Jr. She is survived by 
her daughter, Felicia (Marvin); son, Joseph (Renunda); 6 grandchildren, 
Jeremy Populus Jones, Ari Clayton-Brinkley (Calvin), Kobi Jones, Mikah 
Jones, Charles Clayton, Chloe Jones; sister-in-law, Patricia 
Whisenhunt; 2 nephews, Bradley Whisenhunt and Corey Whisenhunt; 4 
nieces, Angela Whisenhunt, Cheryl Whisenhunt Young (Kimmer), Denise 
Whisenhunt Carey (Rodney), and Erica Whisenhunt; 2 cousins, Mary Powell 
and Jacquitta Powell Green; 1 stepdaughter, Gracie M. Anderson 
(Brosofski); and a host of other family and friends.
  On a personal note, my twin brothers and I affectionately called her 
``T'Vonne''. Our families were close forever friends. Growing up in 
Selma, I have so many fond memories of the good times we enjoyed with 
her children. Her daughter ``Lisa'' and son ``Jojo'' were our childhood 
best friends. When those boys got together it was triple trouble. Even 
when they moved to Mobile, we continued to stay connected. Over the 
years, we have celebrated family triumphs and comforted each other 
during times of sorrow and pain. T'Vonne was like a second mother to 
me--always providing wise counsel and words of encouragement. She will 
be missed, but I know that her incredible legacy will live on in the 
many people she impacted.
  On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy 
of Ina Yvonne Whisenhunt Tillman for her contributions to generations 
of scholars and decades of exemplary service as an educator and 
community activist.

                          ____________________