HINTON W.Va (Hinton News) – The Summers County Historical Society has released the names of those who will be inducted into the “Inspiration Gallery” at Summers County Comprehensive High School on Saturday, April 13, at 2 p.m. All attended Summers County schools. They are as follows:
Pearl Bragg (1912-2012) A pioneer aviatrix, Pearl grew up at a time when women were thought to be incapable of learning to fly. She flew during WWII in the Women’s Airforce Service Pilot program and taught African Americans and Native Americans to fly—two other groups also thought incapable of learning that skill at the time. There are many flying “firsts” to her credit.
Major Lonzo Cornelius Burdette (1878-1950) Cornelius won a gold medal in the 1912 Olympics in a rifle competition. A nationally recognized authority in the design of small arms, he was a career Marine and Army officer. In 1953, he received the Distinguished Service Medal from the Governor of West Virginia.
Sylvia Mathews Burwell (1965–) Perhaps the most famous living Summers County native is Sylvia Mathews Burwell. Following her position as the Director of the White House Office of Budget and Management, she served as the US Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services before becoming the first female President of American University. She also served as president of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Global Development program and Walmart’s charitable foundation.
Gene Fife (1940–) Gene was the Chairman of Goldman Sachs International where he played a pivotal role in establishing the firm throughout Europe and the Middle East. He was the principal founder of the Vawter Capital private investment firm. He has been a significant contributor to the Hinton Area Foundation.
Dr. Titus Pankey, Jr. (1925-2003). He was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in physics from Howard University, and one of the first ten African Americans in the U.S. to earn a Ph.D. in physics, making significant contributions in the field of physics including 2 patents and 30 articles in scientific journals.
The Historical Society plans to make the induction ceremony an annual event with more people being honored each year. While acknowledging those who will be remembered by history for their great success, the goal of the project is to make current students aware that they too can achieve great things—to inspire them to model their lives after these honorees who came from similar backgrounds.
The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony.
