Councilwoman hilda jefferson: the mrs. claus of

As a Charleston city councilwoman and in so many of her other roles, Mrs. Hilda Jefferson dedicated her life to serving and sacrifice. She touched many lives during her time, including that of author Chuck Trioani. Now he shares his memories of her and describes how she inspired him and changed his life for the better, as she did for so many others. As a black teacher in the 1970s, Mrs. Jefferson was forced to overcome many obstacles characteristic of the time, including racism and the difficult process of integration. Even so, her love for her students-and later, her constituents-allowed her to surmount any adversity. She organized the yearly City of Charleston Christmas Party and presided over the ceremonies in true Mrs. Claus fashion, raising thousands of dollars to buy bicycles for the city's children. Her life was certainly one of hardship and reward, and her passion for serving others has been apparent in both her public and personal lives. Through personal recollection and fond remembrance, Troiani examines the extraordinary life of his friend and neighbor, Hilda Jefferson, a quiet hero who had a profoundly positive and lasting impact on so many lives.