An Oral History Project Conducted by John Robert Lewis Leader James Setterlund
Project Description
Janice Mathis was born in Greensville, SC. Growing up her father was involved in local politics helping to organize black voters in the 1960’s and 70’s, and her mother, a 5th grade school teacher, ‘committed the rebellious act of voting’ in 1948 when blacks hadn’t voted in South Carolina since 1876. Janice’s school was integrated in 7th grade and she became class president in a high school where the demographic was 20% black and 80% white. Janice graduated with a degree in economics and public policy from Duke University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia school of law. During law school she was a Black Law School Student Associate and helped register eligible voters.
She started work at a law firm but then left to work for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and Citizens Education Fund. During her time at these companies she worked with a young Reverend Jesse Jackson to create more diverse workplaces, and elected more people of color to the boards of Coca-Cola, Toyota, GA Power, and Intel. Janice was the executive director and is now the general counsel for the National Council for Negro Women. The Council was founded in 1935 by Dr. Mary McCloud Bethune and has roughly two million members with 38 national groups and 70+ partner groups at the college level to advocate on behalf of black women and educate on voting rights, social justice, entrepreneurship, health care, and STEM education.
Oral History Interview with Janice Mathis
Presentation Slides
