Women Who Lead: Xanthene S. Norris
Xanthene S. Norris
Greenville County Council, District 23
For Xanthene Norris, a dedication to education and public service has guided her life. Growing up in Greenville's Southern Side, she went on to attend Clark College in Atlanta and later Furman University. She taught one year at a veterans' school before going on to teach social studies and French at Sterling High until desegregation occurred.
After maternity leave, she returned as a part-time teacher/part-time counselor until taking a full-time counselor position at Greenville High, where she remained until 1984. Dr. Thomas Kerns then recruited Xanthene's assistance in working with the Urban League to conduct Talent Search, where she went into high schools to help students prepare for college. After her husband passed in 1996, she ran and won a seat on the County Council, which she still holds today. Now, at age 82, Xanthene has no intention of slowing down.
Her honors include 2005 Women Making History Award, 2005 Church and Community Award, Living Legend MLK Award, Greenville Tech Unsung Hero Award, UNCF Inc. Award, NAACP W.F. Gibson Freedom Fighter Award and Greenville Links Service Award, among numerous others.
Xanthene says her mother, who was also a teacher, and her grandmother, who fiercely championed education, molded her interests in helping others reach their educational goals. "I have built my success around a strong work ethic and a heart for helping people. I hope our future generations of leaders always remember 'It's a 'we' thing, not a 'me' thing.'"
She is heavily involved in community service, including the Peace Center Board Outreach and the United Negro College Fund.