Vallena J. Greer (D)
Bio
Vallena J. Greer was born in the Mississippi Delta. She is the widow of Murphy R. Greer, Sr., from Carthage, Mississippi. Out of this union came three children: Murphy Jr., Fonda Greer-Haynes and Monica K. Greer. Greer is an educational consultant and a substitute teacher for Jackson Public Schools. She is the seventh child of ten children. Her 93-year old mother still resides in Greenville, Mississippi.
Greer has been profoundly influenced from the early sixties when people like Fannie Lou Hammer, Edgar Evers, Robert Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr., were fighting for civil rights, human rights, political power and against other injustices. These events caused Greer to become concerned and more active in civil and human rights, and politics. She said, "They were threatened, beaten, arrested, hanged and assassinated for the most part. Black people had no voice in politics and were denied their rights as American citizens. Back then, life was much worse, but still, it hasn't changed in many ways."
"I thought it crucial to be in the environment of politics, because politics is power and many of the policies are put in place by elected officials. I wanted to involve myself in policymaking and policy changing to make a difference for the human race. My family and I are one of unshakable political integrity and have been very instrumental in choosing and supporting positive politicians who have the best interest of the pole at heart and who would make a difference in race relations." On that note, Greer remembers a quote that stuck in her mind: "It is never too early to correct a mistake, to expose an error, or to explode a lie." Money can no longer determine the vote -- people will vote.
Based on Greer's committment to keep the dream alive, she has prepapred herself in education, community activities and the human struggle.
Greer was instrumental in bringing Bethwith back to stand trial for the Megar Evers murder. She coordinated a demonstration in Tchula, Mississippi to keep children from being cattle prod by police officers. She coordinated the effort of the Mississippi Legislation to get rid of the Confederate flag, she coordinated a defense committee to keep lawyers license to practice in Mississippi; making sure black newspaper get equal financial support, and many, many others.
Greer has showed responsible leadership on the frontline of the struggle to "build a national united reparations front" by Answering the Call of the Akoen - The Adinkra War Horn. Vallena is the Co-Chair of Jackson, MS Chapter N'COBRA.
She has received many awards for her struggle, including the Malcom X National Award, the Martin Luther King/Henry Kirksey Trailblazer and Jackson, MS Area N'COBRA Chapter - for Dedicated Service in the Community and Answerin Call Award.
Professional Experience
State Director of Religious Affairs, MS State Voter Empowerment
State Director of Delta Service Corps (Americorps –Community Service),
State Department of Education
State Director of Service Learning, State Department of Education
Executive Director of Myers Foundation (Indigent Health care & Economic
Development)
Director of Center for International Studies & Lifelong Learning, Tougaloo College
Adjunct Professor, Jackson State University
Tutorial Instructor, Jackson Public Schools
Legislation Liaison, Mississippi Legislation (Speaker Pro-Tem Office – Legislation & Policy)
Consultant, Educational and Community Service, Self-Employed
Political Leadership
Mississippi Whip, Democratic National Convention – Two-term At-Large Delegate
Co-Chair Election Committee, Mississippi Democratic Executive Committee
Secretary, Hinds County Democratic Executive Committee
District 3 Vice President, Mississippi Federation of Democratic Women
District 2 Director – Mississippi Federation of Democratic Women
President – Leake County Federation of Democratic Women
State Chair – Ways and Means Committee, MS Federation of Democratic Women
Director – Hinds County Voter Registration (first)
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