092622_GYS_2022_ONLINE

66 GU I D E to Y E L L OW S P R I NG S | 2O22 – 2O23 On an ordinary street in town, there is an ordinary brick ranch with two ordinary maple trees planted in the front yard. But inside this ordinary house is a woman with an unordinary history. It’s a personal history that reflects advances in civil rights and decolonization. It’s the history of one woman with a pioneering spirit, keen leadership skills and a love of learning. Yvonne Seon, professor, administrator and author, was awarded the “Gold Cita- tion” from her alma mater, Allegheny College, for “honor reflected upon the College” for outstanding professional and volunteer activities in 2009. To understand how Seon, who moved back to the village in 2009 after an extended absence, came to hold the award requires a glimpse into her storied career, an adventure that mirrors many pivotal moments of the second half of the twentieth century. Graduating from Allegheny College in 1959 with a bach- elor’s degree, Seon — then Yvonne Reed — proceeded the following year on a Wood- row Wilson Fellowship to American University, earning a master’s degree in American government and political sci - ence, with a minor in French. The ’60s were “the time of the big change,” Seon said, “the period when many colo- Congo. Patrice Lumumba gained prominence among the Congolese people, and was democratically elected as prime minister in 1960. His swearing in marked the formal transmission of power from Belgium to the Congolese, and the beginning of a time of turbulent political strife. Lumumba came to the United States soon after becoming prime minister and Seon’s mother, a leader in the African-American community, could not attend the recep - tion being held for him. A family friend saw to it that Seon attended in her stead. Arriving late and missing the reception line, Seon found herself ushered over to meet Lumumba by a young journal - ist. But he had left, and Seon found herself explaining to his assistant who she was and her interest in meeting the prime minister. This conversa - tion lasted the duration of the evening, ending over a spaghetti dinner with Seon’s mother. The assistant, realizing Seon spoke fluent French and was educated in politics, took an interest in arranging a meeting between Seon and Lumumba. He suggested that Seon consider the possibility of a position in the Congo in Lumumba’s cabinet. Real - izing this was a serious offer, Seon requested that both her mother and her father, nized nations, including those of Africa, began to push for independence.” The struggle for decoloni - zation included the rise of a young, nationalist leader who advocated for an independent Yvonne Seon— ACTIVIST , EDUCATOR , AMBASSADOR By BROOKE BRYAN From July 2009 ▲ Yvonne Seon, the first director of Wright State’s Bolinga Black Cultural Center worked with Black stu- dents to develop a library, and invite speakers from the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. P H O T O S : W R I G H T S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y S P E C I A L A R C H I V E S & C O L L E C T I O N S 100 Corry Street • 937-767-2823 Open by Appt. Wed.–Sat., 1–5 p.m.