Clementine Mathis Rouse

Clementine Mathis Rouse know the value of an education.

Clementine quit high school to get married. Five children later, she found herself facing life as a single parent struggling to raise her children. She held menial jobs, received some public assistance, and received help from family and friends. During these lean years she realized two things - the value of an education and that she didn't want her children to struggle as she had. She dreamed of becoming a teacher. And she felt that if she attained that goal her children would see, by example, what they could do with their own lives.

In 1952 she and her children moved to the Hollingsworth Housing Project. It was while living in the project that she began her life long commitment of service to her community, especially to the children in her community.

In 1955 she and her longtime friend, Mrs. Opal Lee Henry, saw the need for health services for children in the project. With the heap of Mrs. Sadie Thompson of the Arkansas Health Department, a program was set up to serve the medical needs of small children in the Hollingsworth Housing Project.

Clementine planned, coordinated and conducted many programs in the housing project, including a canned food/milk drive to assist young mothers in caring for their children. She also planned and directed social activities for young people in the housing project. At the East End Salvation Army she was a part-time secretary to Captain Norma Roberts. She also taught Sunday School, Summer Bible School, and directed the Salvation Army's Sunshine Club for young people in the Hollingsworth project. Her volunteer work also included 1500 hours at the VA Hospital and the Arkansas State Hospital.

She returned to high school in 1953 so that she could pursue her goal of becoming an elementary school teacher. She felt that if a child is nurtured and encouraged during the early stages of their lives, then they would have a head start in life. She graduated from Scipio Jones High School. She was an excellent student and continued her academic work, attending college in the 50s and 60s.

In 1963, the same year her oldest daughter Sandra Kay graduated from high school, she received a B.A. degree, with honors from Philander Smith College. She did additional graduate work at Henderson State University.

Her goal was realized in September 1963. Her first teaching assignment was at J. E. Bush Elementary School. Even with a full-time teaching job she continued to volunteer her time children. In the afternoon she conducted a physical education program at J. E. Bush from 1964 to 1966.

Clementine's professional affiliations included membership in the National Education Association, Arkansas Education Association, Little Rock Classroom Teachers Association, and Early Childhood Education Association. She served on the Board of Directors of the Little Rock Classroom Teachers Association and for fifteen years was an active member of the negotiation team. She was a member of the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association.

Honors she has received include the Little Rock chapter of the National Urban League Family of the Year Award, Dedicated Service Award from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School and a Lifetime Teaching Certificate from the Arkansas State Board of Education. From 1967 to 1969 she was Master Teacher for the CETA tutoring programs of the Hollingsworth Housing Project Recreation Center. For the school years 1969 and 1970, Clementine received a national honor, the Kajanjian Award, for her economics classes.

In 1988 Clementine retired after 25 years of teaching in the Little Rock School District. After retirement, she continued her volunteer work, tutoring second graders at neighborhood schools.

Her last project was as a member of the Joshua Intervenors Project team. Her responsibilities included interviewing candidates for teaching positions and monitoring classrooms to verify that multicultural activities and tools were being used to teach the children.

Born March 17, 1928 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Rev. and Mrs. Gilbert Mathis, she was the seventh of eleven children. She was an active member of Miles Memorial C.M.E. Church and was Superintendent of the Sunday School. She served as a Sunday school teacher and Director of the Board of Christian Education. For many years she was a member of the Wesley Guild, serving in various capacities. The Wesley Guild honored her with its Educator of the Year Award.

Clementine believed that her strong faith in God helped her attain her goal and made her a role model for her children.

The Arkansas Democrat featured  her twice: first on Sunday, March 30, 1980 and again on Thursday, November 28, 1985. Mid Week Magazine ran the Thursday, November 28, 1985 article. Stanley Russ, Senator 17th District, in a letter to Clementine stated, "You are to be commended for your initiative and spirit. Your story should serve as an inspiration for a lot of us."

As a testament to her faith and her commitment of nurturing and encouraging children, Clementine's five children have successful careers. She taught her children to treat others with kindness and respect, to believe in themselves, and to believe in the goodness of others.

In March 1995, she was honored on her 67th birthday with the dedication of this scholarship fund. She was presented certificates by the Little Rock Chapter of the Urban League, the Little Rock Classroom Teachers Association, The First Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and her church, Miles Memorial C.M.E. Church. Jim Guy Tucker, the governor of Arkansas, declared the weekend of March 14-16, a weekend of Love, Harmony and Friendship in her honor.

In 1996 the Little Rock School District presented the Clementine Mathis Rouse Scholarship Fund a certificate acknowledging its contribution to the community.