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BIOGRAPHY:  Lillie P. W. Stephens

The first African American female to graduate from the private University at Buffalo with a degree in Physical Education, Lillie also attended Bethune-Cookman College. She later earned her master's degree in education from the University at Buffalo and became the first Black Physical Education teacher and first Black female administrator in the Niagara Falls School District. She was later elected as the President of the 100,000 plus member University at Buffalo Alumni Association.

Her professional career began more than forty-five years ago with service in the Buffalo, Williamsville, and Niagara Falls School Districts that included receipt of tenure in four areas.

Mrs. Stephens is affiliated with four Prince Hall Masonic organizations, having served as President of two of them. After serving as teacher for fifteen years and an administrator for twenty-two, her last five years of employment were spent in the role of Principal at 60th Street Elementary School in Niagara Falls, New York. She remains active on several Boards of Directors, both locally and nationally.

In addition to her vast career in the field of education, Lillie has received numerous honors and awards due to her involvement in the aforementioned communities. Some of her many awards include: WHLD and Tops Markets Top Hat Award; Magnet Schools of America Award for National Service and Dedication; National Association of Education Equity Award for twenty-two years of Service; Niagara Falls Black Achievers Association Lifetime Achievement Award; Black Educators' Association of Western New York Educator of the Year Award; Coalition of 100 Black Women Buffalo Chapter Spotlight on Women Award; Who's Who Among Women in the World; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Phi Omega Chapter, Humanitarian Award; Niagara Falls Chapter of The Links, Incorporated Woman of the Month in Education Award, and others.

Lillie Stephens holds active memberships in many local, regional, national and international organizations including: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (life member); Phi Delta Kappa (Academic) Fraternity, Inc.; Zonta International of Amherst; The Buffalo College Club; National Committee for School Desegregation (charter member and past president); NAACP (life member); Magnet Schools of America (board member) and Family and Children Services of Niagara County (life member).

She resides with her husband, Edward, in Williamsville. Lillie and Edward are the parents of two children and grandparents to three. They are active members of Calvary Episcopal Church.