ENROLLED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 168
BY REPRESENTATIVE JEFFERSON
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana
upon the death of Bertha Bradford Robinson.
WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness and profound regret that the House of
Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of the passing of Bertha
Bradford Robinson; and
WHEREAS, Bertha Bradford Robinson was born on August 20, 1946, to Mattie
Esther and Leamon Bradford in Jonesboro, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Bertha accepted Christ at an early age at Pleasant Grove Missionary
Baptist Church and remained faithful until her passing; she served in numerous ministries,
and her roles included serving as youth director, Sunday school teacher, Baptist Training
Union director, Vacation Bible School director, and chair of the deaconess ministry; and
WHEREAS, Bertha became highly involved in civil rights activism as a student at
Jackson High School from which she graduated in 1964; and
WHEREAS, Bertha enrolled at Grambling College, which is now Grambling State
University; in 1965, she became the first African-American woman to matriculate at
Louisiana Tech University; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Robinson struggled with racism while studying at Louisiana Tech
and chose to leave; she returned in 1973 to complete her original mission, and in 1976 she
received a bachelor of science degree in early childhood education; and
WHEREAS, Bertha joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, while
attending Louisiana Tech; and
WHEREAS, Bertha went on to earn a master's degree and specialist degree from
Northwestern State University; she also received an honorary doctorate degree from
Louisiana Tech University, and in 2016, the university established the James Potts/Bertha
Robinson Scholarship Fund; and
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WHEREAS, Mrs. Robinson was immensely proud of these accomplishments, but her
highest honor was to serve as the Louisiana Tech University 2020 Fall Commencement
speaker; and
WHEREAS, Bertha was a genuine supporter of children, and she believed that all
children had the capacity to learn; she owned and operated a daycare center in Jonesboro for
five years and then began a career with the Jackson Parish School Board that spanned forty
years, during which she served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and director of
federal programs; and
WHEREAS, Bertha retired in 2016; however, she remained active in her advocacy
for education by serving as a consultant to schools throughout Louisiana, and she contributed
her time to various boards and civic organizations that work to improve the state's schools;
she also offered free tutoring to children in her community; and
WHEREAS, Bertha Robinson's love and legacy will continue to live on through her
husband, Harvey T. Robinson; her daughters, Yumeaka Washington, and her husband
Ronald, and Esther Jewettá Robinson; her grandson, Brett Bernard Washington; her siblings,
Mary Hoover, James Bradford, Glory White, and her husband McArthur, Charlean Nelson,
and Vivian Bradley; her sister-in-law, Ella Morris; her god-siblings, Marietta Leonard and
James "Jimmy" Wilson; and a host of extended family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Bertha Bradford Robinson was a true champion of children and she is
most deserving of recognition for her inspiring work.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express heartfelt condolences on the death of Bertha
Bradford Robinson; does hereby recognize Bertha's unrelenting commitment to the children
of Louisiana; and does hereby extend sincere wishes that her family and friends find comfort
knowing that she is at home with God in Heaven.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Bertha Bradford Robinson.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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