Unsung Heros

Tessie Edwards was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1927 during a time of deep racial segregation and limited opportunities for Black Americans. At Creighton University, she served as secretary of the DePorres Club, an anti-racist student organization that opposed segregation in Omaha businesses. She spent her career as an educator, teaching at St. Pius X and Creighton Preparatory School over thirty years. Tessie Edwards passed away in 2012 at the age of 85.

Through her work with the DePorres Club, she helped pressure local businesses to confront discriminatory practices, contributing to desegregation efforts in Omaha, especially in Catholic institutions. Edwards is an unsung hero because as an educator, an often underappreciated role, she remained an advocate for justice and equality for generations of students. However, a recent dedication of an Omaha street in her honor suggests she is beginning to see the recognition she deserves.