From Staff and press reports

The Winston County Head Start celebrated Head Start Awareness month Friday, October 21.

The event brought together Head Start faculty, parents, and local leaders. The event showcased songs and greetings from the head start children. Janice Brown served as the Mistress of Ceremonies. Sylvia Dickson from the Winston County Library provided a puppet show for the children while Mayor Daniel "Moe" Yarbrough greeted the crowd and read a city proclamation honoring Head Start. Center Administrator Mattie Cooper gave a brief history of the local head start and of those who struggled to get the successful program going. The ceremony ended with a release of balloons by the children.

A retrospective view of Head Start in Winston County

In 1965 Head Start began in Winston under the struggle and guidance of Rev. C.T. Allen. At that time he was the pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church. This is how the first agency got its name and the first Head Start Center was called Wesley Head Start.

The plan for Head Start had come into being. Black citizens and churches were asked for their support, but only a small amount of support was received from the black community due to fear and threat from the influential whites in this town.

There was some support from a few strong leaders such as Mr. and Mrs. Jim Williams, Ms. Elizabeth Nunn, Ms. Mary Perry, Rev. John W. Mosley, and Mr. and Mrs. Hilute Hudson, Sr. Ms. Elizabeth Nunn and Ms. Mary Perry went to Mississippi State University to gather all the information needed to get this program started. Finally the plans to establish Head Start were a reality.

It took a lot of courage, hard work, and determination because there were some who did not want Head Start in Winston County. They did everything humanly possibly to prevent it. The merchants of Winston County would not participate in letting Head Start purchase food and etc. Citizen Bank and Warner's produce were the only businesses that would render service; therefore, the dedicated workers purchased supplies and materials and also brought food from their homes. They were determined that with God on their side, there would be a Head Start. Rev. Allen received broken ribs from being kicked and received obscene phone calls. Crosses were burned, and Wesley Church members were threatened. The employees worked for three months before they received any pay.

Wesley Head Start, located in Wesley Methodist Church, served only 80 children at that time. Head Start Centers were located at Mt. Moriah, New Zion, Mt. Pleasant #2 Church, and Hinze Community Center.

Ms. Alean Mitchell and Ms. Audrey Lawson came from Texas Southern University where employees received some of their training and said they wanted to seethe man that started Head Start in Winston County. They stated that he must be a man of God. The employees also received training from Tuskegee University.

After the death of Rev. Allen in 1966, Rev. J.B. Wade was appointed as Head Start Director. He served as Director until his tragic death in July 1972. His death burdened the hearts of the entire Head Start Family. Mr. Billy Barnes was appointed Executive Director in 1972, and until his tragic death in January 1973; he demonstrated leadership ability that is deemed necessary for a program of this type. As a result of his dedicated efforts, past deficiencies were deleted and new ideas were implemented in all areas of the program. After his death Mrs. Bessie Foster was appointed as acting Director. In May 1973, Rev. Ras S. Pickens was appointed as Executive Director and Ms. Betty Sherrod was appointed Deputy/Finance Director. Under this administration the Learning Accomplishment Profile known as LAP, was implemented for the Head Start Children. The Career Development Department provided educational opportunities for parents and employees. For a short period of time Mr. James R. Wilson also served as Executive Director for Wesley.

Mrs. Veterine Williams served as Board Chairperson and Mr. Brady Dawkins served as Policy Council Chairperson. Other policy council chairpersons were Ms. Shirley Carr, Mr. Billy Metts, Ms. Sylvia Sims, and Mr. Steve Hampton. These were dedicated persons who were interested in the welfare of the staff, children, and families and served Head Start without pay.

In 1997 the Charter for Wesley was relinquished. Today we are part of Mississippi Action for Progress, Inc. We serve 250 children and have 65 employees. After the change Ms. Corevia Miller served as Center Administrator. Later Mrs. Jawana Young became Center Administrator and presently Mrs. Mattie Cooper is serving as Center Administrator.

Over the years Head Start has witnessed many changes and faced many obstacles, yet Head Start lives on in our children. Head Start has helped children and served families for 40 years. Head Start has also been an educational tool for young children and produced doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses, and many more professionals. Head Start has also contributed to the economy of Winston County.