Our website is currently undergoing maintenance. Some pages may be unavailable at this time. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
WOMENS HISTORY MONTH
Celebrating Savannah, GA's Women's History Maker
Join us as we interview Savannah's former Mayor and Servant of the people, Edna Jackson.
Lisa Jackson, Education Coordinator at the Savannah African Art Museum, sits down with Ms. Edna Jackson to talk about her vibrant history and experiences in Africa.
wHO IS fORMER mAYOR eDNA jACKSON?
Savannah native, Edna Jackson made history as Savannah, Georgia’s first elected Female Mayor who served 2012 – 2016. Her service to the people began long before serving as Mayor, long before her previous roles as an elected official and continues as she serves on many boards and mentors others.
-
As a high school teen Jackson joined the NAACP Youth Council fighting for civil rights. She traveled throughout the south conducting voter registration drives, organizing, participating in sit in lunch counter demonstrations and Tybee Beach demonstration opposing segregation laws. Jackson participated in the March on Washington with an integrated group of youths
-
After earning both her B.S. degree in sociology and M.Ed. degree in political science education at Savannah State University (SSU), Jackson began her professional career as a Social Worker with the Economic Opportunity Authority (EOA) for Chatham County, Savannah GA
-
Returned to her alma mater at the request of the SSU President to assume the position of Director of SSU’s Emergency School Assistant Program. This commenced a 30-year career at SSU which also included roles as the Director of Alumni Affairs and Coordinator of the Elderhostel Program
-
Served as a key member of the successful campaign to elect Floyd Adams, Savannah Georgia’s 1st Black Mayor
-
Served as Alderman at Large on the Savannah City Council for three terms under Mayor Adams
-
Served as Mayor Pro Tempore of Savannah for two terms under Mayor Otis Johnson
-
Served as the Southern Regional Vice President and National Vice President of SSU
-
Served as Vice Chairman of the Chatham County Democratic Executive Committee
-
Served as a Member of the Board of Representatives for World Trade Center Savannah
-
Served as a Chairperson of the Chatham County Hospital Authority
-
Served as Member of the U.S. Selective Board and the Georgia Advisory Committee for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition
-
Appointed to serve on the Military Academy Selection Committee and the Regional Committee of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission
-
Served on the Board of Directors for the Savannah Regional Second Harvest Food Bank
-
Served on the Board of the Equal Opportunity Authority
-
Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
-
Member of St. Phillip AME Church