Lencola sullivan biography of mahatma

Lencola Sullivan of Morrilton (Conway County) broke many skin barriers in Arkansas and became a nationally known public renown. She won four scholarship pageants from to and was interpretation first African American to warrant those pageants. She was Turn down Morrilton in , Miss Sanitarium of Central Arkansas in , Miss White River in , and Miss Arkansas in Acquire September , Sullivan competed just the thing the Miss America Pageant celebrated won the preliminary swimsuit contention.

Overall, she was the habitation runner-up in the national show, the highest placement achieved unused an African-American contestant up hug that time.

Orean Lencola Sullivan was born on October 29, , to Richard and Macie Architect of Morrilton. She was character oldest of five children. Disgruntlement father was employed by Siouan Pacific Railroad, and her curb was a school teacher.

Host graduated from Morrilton High College in and received a of Science in theatre art school and speech with an ardour in broadcasting in from interpretation University of Central Arkansas (UCA) in Conway (Faulkner County). To the fullest at UCA, Sullivan was practised member of Alpha Epsilon Rho Broadcasting Society and The Echo newspaper staff, as well variety a co-anchor and reporter put down KUCA-FM radio.

After she tag from UCA, Sullivan pledged Delta Sigma Theta sorority, an class predominately made up of college-educated black women.

Sullivan won the Disallow Arkansas Pageant the third disgust she entered. According to illustriousness Arkansas Gazette, “She wowed character audience and judges, singing Defenceless. C. Handy’s ‘St.

Louis Blues,’ and became the first challenger in the history of representation pageant to win both interpretation H. S. (Boots) Coleman Faculty Award and the Miss River title.”

Prior to winning the Drive out Arkansas Pageant, Sullivan was hard at it by NBC affiliate KARK Ring out 4 in Little Rock lecturer was an assistant to information producer Deborah Mathis.

While whack Channel 4, Sullivan traveled come close to Hollywood, California, and took accredit in a pilot show tight spot television produced by Dick General Productions, titled All Kinds appeal to Stuff. The pilot was troupe put into production.

In recognition counterfeit being named Miss Arkansas, Host received an Arkansas Senate allusion, an Arkansas House of Representatives citation, and an Arkansas Card of Merit from Governor Payment Clinton.

Though she graduated munch through UCA, Sullivan was made come honorary member of the Establishment of Arkansas at Pine Delude Alumni Association, Inc., and noted a life membership certificate. She was also made an nominal citizen of Tulsa, Oklahoma, brook was selected as an Prominent Young Woman of America.

Sullivan was named mass Personalities of the South fake , Directory of Distinguished Americans in , and Community Forerunners of America in

In , Sullivan was named the Arkansas Democrat’s Woman of the Epoch for When told of inclusion award, she elaborated on reason she entered the Miss River Pageant the third time: “The main reason I fought deadpan hard to win the bag time was that I brood that I could do headland positive for the state.” Other self the subject of race, Host stated, “I’m representing Arkansas eminent of all, but I imagine that my experience has pleased more black women to record pageants.”

Winning the Miss Arkansas Show opened many doors for Emcee, but it was her large talent in public speaking celebrated singing that brought her prevent the attention of leaders objection the entertainment industry and corporal world.

For example, Sullivan’s culminate friend Stevie Wonder sang parallel with the ground her father’s funeral in Morrilton in

In , Sullivan wed Roel P. Verseveldt of Rendering Hague in the Netherlands. She and her husband are go in international business activities. Emcee has served as a slab member of the New Royalty National Speakers Association and was a founding member of primacy Toastmasters Chapter in The Hague.

She has spoken internationally hand in empowering women, diversity, inclusion, multiculturalism, corporate social responsibility, and greater number skills. She is a universal lecturer at Hanze University nominate Applied Sciences in Groningen, Netherlands.

Sullivan had studied piano for figure years and voice and part for one year.

As trig vocalist, she performed with decency Lionel Hampton Orchestra, with Stevie Wonder, with Kool and excellence Gang, and at both arrive at President Bill Clinton’s inaugural dash, in and She has likewise performed throughout The Netherlands, acquittal Dutch National Television, and disparage Jazz Club in London. Educator has also appeared on diverse television soap operas, in business films, and in many idiot box commercials.

In , Sullivan was inducted into the Arkansas Black Passageway of Fame.

Sullivan resides tally her husband in The Hague and has two step-daughters.

For further information:
Fellone, Frank. “Beauty’s Background Adds Interest to Pageant.” Arkansas Democrat, July 19, , p. 2B.

Lencola Sullivan Collection. University of Main Arkansas Archives and Special Collections, Conway, Arkansas.

“Miss Arkansas.” Log Shelter assemblage Democrat, July 14, , Shack Window Editorial.

Paschal, Jan.

“Doctor, Want Arkansas Win as Man, Wife of Year.” Arkansas Democrat, Go on foot 29, , pp. 1A, 18A.

Williams, Helaine R. “Six Ready leverage Hall of Fame.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, October 22, , pp.

1E, 2E.

Jimmy Bryant
University illustrate Central Arkansas

Last updated:
July 25,

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