George Washington Jackson, better known as G.W., who served as principal of the local school in Corsicana for over 45 years, will be honored with the city’s newest statue in a new park that bears his name.
“He was one who was like a magnet to the people, to students,” said Gwen Chance, chair and founder of the G.W. Jackson Multicultural Society, as reported by NBC 5 DFW. “Hopefully it will encourage other communities that they can do the same.”
Students would travel from other nearby cities to attend the school, according to Chance, who spoke with NBC 5.
One of those people was Chance’s sister, Lois Jean Hart.
Chance started the organization in honor of her late sister, Hart, an educator who had a dream of honoring the legacy of her former teacher, Jackson.
Chance set out to implement her sister’s plan by helping to erect the statue of Jackson in what will be unveiled today as G.W. Jackson Legacy Park. Corsicana’s newest park is located on the plot of land where Jackson’s old house used to stand, on the corner of Martin Luther King and 5th.
The G.W. Jackson Multicultural Society is “a vibrant force in creating community collaborations and capturing the rich history and legacy of the African American experience, a vital part of the experience of all Americans,” according to its website.
When Chance saw the statue, she told NBC 5, “I can see my sister jumping all around in heaven really excited!”
The society is hosting a dedication of the park and a formal statue unveiling on Tuesday, March 28, at 11 a.m. There will be a luncheon following the dedication and unveiling at the Cook Center, Navarro College Campus, at 1 p.m. The luncheon is $10 per person and registration is required.
Those interested can donate money, volunteer time, or partner your organization with the non-profit society by following this link.