October 22, 2024
Remembering Thelma Mothershed Wair
As we reflect on the life and achievements of Thelma Mothershed Wair, we are proud to call her a member of the Saluki family.
Mrs. Mothershed Wair, who died Oct. 19, is perhaps best known as a member of the Little Rock Nine – a group of African American students who bravely integrated Little Rock High School in 1957. She and two other members of the Little Rock Nine went on to SIU Carbondale.
Mrs. Mothershed Wair chose SIU Carbondale because it had a good home economics program and was not too far from home, and she joined the Delta Beta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, where she was a highly revered member (in the photo of the 1962 Greek Sing, she is in the front row, fourth from the right). She earned her bachelor’s degree in home economics education from SIU Carbondale in 1964 and her master’s degree in guidance and counseling from SIU Edwardsville in 1970.
Mrs. Mothershed Wair dedicated her professional life to serving students and their families in the East St. Louis school system as a home economics teacher and a counselor, and she was an advocate for people without homes.
A true champion of civil rights and diversity, equity and inclusion throughout her entire life, she received many awards, including an honorary degree from SIU Edwardsville and a Distinguished Service Award from SIU Carbondale.