Pearl Stephens Memorial Scholarship program hosts annual event on namesake’s 130th birthday

WARNER ROBINS – The Pearl Stephens Memorial Scholarship program will be hosting its annual event awarding local students with scholarships on Feb. 22. 

The program started 44 years ago, named after a woman who broke barriers in Houston County. When Pearl Stephens passed away, her grandson Jerome Stephens and his cousin Maggie Cole, started the program to award scholarships to high school seniors to help further their education. Stephens said they also wanted to inspire them to accomplish “whatever their hearts desire.” 

Jerome Stephens also shared they accept donations from everyone. Every year they host an event awarding 10 to 12 scholarships to students. This year, it will be at Pearl Stephens Elementary School at 3 p.m. It will also be on Pearl Stephens’ birthday and Jerome Stephens said she would be 130 years old. Pearl Stephens was born in 1887 and Jerome Stephens described her as an outgoing and beautiful individual. Jerome Stephens shared Pearl Stevens’ mother was brought to the United States from India as a slave.

“[She] saw the need for all people of all colors to have education,” he said.

In 1949, Pearl Stephens saw Black children were not given a sufficient education and not properly learning how to read or write. At the time, Black students were going to churches to learn. Pearl Stephens then went to the Houston County Board of Education and asked them to build a school for Black children.

The HCBOE said they did not have land and Pearl Stephens donated one in a half-acre of land in exchange for teachers, books and the construction of a two-room school building. Later, Carrie Anderson became the first principal of the school.

Jerome Stephens said the original school was located off South Davis Drive, which at the time was Feagin Mill Road. Now, there is a memorial at the original school. In 2014, the school relocated to a newly renovated building, which used to be Linwood Elementary. The street was also renamed Pearl Stephens Way.

Jerome Stephens said they always have an awesome crowd at the annual event. He said the event’s goal is to award the students, and he looks forward to the crowd’s enthusiasm.

“In today’s market and in the day’s technology whatever young people’s desire to do requires learning; it requires you having an education. A high school education sometimes will get you there but the further you have with your education with a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree or a doctorate this is a steppingstone for that to keep you going,” he said. “There’s a lot of students who have gone on to do better things. Just knowing that Pearl Stephens did this, and we carried the legacy of her name on in order for young people to have an education.”

Jerome Stephens graduated from Pearl Stephens school since it was previously a first grade to twelfth grade school. He has fond memories of building their own football field through fundraisers, since he was on the football team. Stephens describes it as an environment where students could learn and feel every teacher caring for them. 

“It was just like family and the teachers really cared about you,” he said.

He remembers the teachers encouraging their students to further their education because they knew education helped further their status in the community.

Jerome Stephens said that was the plight of his grandmother: she wanted kids of all colors and all backgrounds to have an education. He shared he often visits the school to inspire students, and they know him well. He also said he has seen children later in life accomplish what they wanted to do.

“It’s just rewarding to see those kids,” he said.

Jerome Stephens also shared Houston County Superintendent Mark Scott has been supportive of the program. He said at a recent school board meeting they honored Pearl Stephens for Black History Month. Pearl Stephens’ photo and accolades are displayed at the Houston County Board of Education.

Jerome Stephens said he is looking forward to having a great time at the event. He shared they cannot say enough about Pearl Stephens and described her as a great person. He said he has memories of spending time at her house during his childhood.

Jerome Stephens shared Pearl Stephens favorite saying: “I am my brother’s keeper.”

The Pearl Stephens Memorial Scholarship program event will be Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. Pearl Stephens Elementary School is located at 420 Pearl Stephens Way. 

To find out more about Pearl Stephens and to donate to the program visit their website.