THIS LEGACY IS YOURS:
Celebrating the
Lasting Contributions of African American Women
Please select the biography you wish to view from the list below.
Bernice McKinley Chambers She was employed by the University of Illinois as a Cook and retired some 25 years later as a Food Service Administrator. After retirement, she was in charge of the Peace Meal Program at the Douglass Senior Center, for 18 years. Under the pastorate of Reverend R. D. Hayden, she joined the Salem Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and served as President of the Gospel Choir. She was a regular attendee at Sunday School and BYPU and served as an Assistant Church Clerk. She was a member and past Matron of the Deborah Chapter #27, Eastern Star, the Daughters of Isis and held several offices of the Eureka Grand Chapter of Prince Hall Affiliation of Illinois. |
Bernice McKinley Chambers was born on May 28, 1907 in Shelby, Mississippi, a daughter of Albert and Mary Jane Jackson McKinley. Her family moved to Champaign in 1917 where she completed her formal education in the Champaign School System.This Legacy is Yours was a cooperative effort between the National Council of Negro Women, Champaign County Chapter, and the Museum of the Grand Prairie.
A gold star 
denotes original charter members of the Champaign County Section of the National Council of Negro Women.
