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a light that will continue to shine
A courageous civil rights leader, entrepreneur, business partner, health professional, educator and youth advocate. Alice Thomas has loved and served her community her entire life, even when it did not love and serve her in return. Her unwavering faith, belief in the power of a community when it comes together, her compassion and hope, is a light that shines on the path for all of us.
In 1978, Mrs. Thomas helped form the Black Student Union because there was a lack of minority leadership in the student government at that time. Mrs. Thomas says, “I wanted to give my students an identity at the school and make them see that they could do anything anyone else could do”. In 1991, four African American students became the first minority students to represent the student body.
Mrs. Thomas believed and felt that the Black Student Union was one of the most impactful undertakings of her career. It was not without challenge, as there were setbacks along the way. She retired from Henderson a scholarship, started in 1998 by Dr. Clifford DeBaptiste, former West Chester mayor by Chester mayor and an annual scholarship event bears her name and carries forward her legacy.
In 2019, she fulfilled a longstanding dream: to share her life's journey and publish her memoirs. Mrs. Thomas shares not only her stories of life's obstacles and challenges but of love, family, friends, hope and faith. Mrs. Thomas has seen West Chester change from a place where not all people were treated with the same dignity and respect. A place where Black citizens were not served in some restaurants and limited to the movie theater balcony. Her book: "Surviving Racism: A memoir of life, love, and faith." can be found at the Chester County History Center and is available at the Chester County Library.
After more than 30 years, The Antiques Shop owned and operated by she and her business partner Jean Newsome closed their doors on Feb. 28, 2022.The Antique Shop, brimming with collectibles, antiques, and glassware sparkled with nostalgia. But the greatest treasure always found there, was the smile that greeted you when you entered the shop.
