Sheriff Mildred Scott (2nd from Left) with family members (L to R) Brenda Hutchins (Sister-in-Law), Nate Hutchins (Brother), Chanelle McCullum (Daughter) *Photo by Katherine Massopust
Sheriff Mildred Scott
To celebrate Black History Month, PRAHD held its 5th Annual Arturo Alfonso Schomburg Award Luncheon. The recipient this year was Middlesex County Sheriff Mildred Scott who was raised and went to school in Perth Amboy.
Dean Schomburg, (grandson of Alfonso), plus friends, relatives, and staff from PRAHD were present to congratulate her on her many achievements and community involvement. She was presented with awards from the Freeholders and the City of Perth Amboy.
Of all the speakers, Sheriff Scott herself was the most compelling. The reason we have a picture of the students above. Sheriff Scott recalled that she was about that age when she was introduced to politics by her father, Mr. Lincoln. Her parents were well respected in the community and State for how they helped others rise from adversity. At that young age, she was able to meet the sitting Governor.
Sheriff Scott not only talked the talk, but walked the walk. She recalled that her choice of career in Law Enforcement was influenced by the first African-American Police Officer in Perth Amboy. That Officer was known as Mr. Gibson (Gibby) who was respected by all who knew him. He commanded his post on the Five Corners and the students knew he meant business.
Scott remembered the reaction when she told her father that she wanted to be a Police Officer like Gibson. Her father was surprised, but didn’t deter her from her decision.
She remembered being interviewed for her first job in law enforcement. The man who interviewed her was smoking (in a place where smoking wasn’t allowed). She could tell by the look on that person’s face that he really wasn’t taking her seriously at first. She was the only girl and had five brothers who she could go toe-to-toe with. Although she is small in stature, she passed the required agility test without a problem.
When she finished the interview, she so impressed the person, he had no choice but to say, “You’re hired.”
As we said before, she talked the talk and walked the walk. She accomplished each goal she set for herself, rising from the ranks of a Police Officer, to working as a Sheriff’s Officer, to becoming the Middlesex County Sheriff.
She learned through her parents at an early age how important it is to respect others. That attitude came back through the respect that others had for her.
My late father, Rockwell Maxwell used to always say to us, “If you want to have friends, show yourself to be friendly.”
Sheriff Scott also acknowledged her extended family who were in the audience, such as the McCoy’s who were very prominent in Perth Amboy. She also called out the names of some classmates in attendance, colleagues, and the Democratic Party who believed in her.
Scott said while growing up in Perth Amboy, she did not experience prejudice. The first time she became aware of prejudice is when her father took the family on a trip and they stopped in Virginia. Her father told the family to wait in the car while he went into a place to bring something back to them to eat. That’s when she noticed there were water fountains labeled “black” and “white.”
She couldn’t understand this because the water was coming from the same source. Along the way, there were similar signs.
Mildred was the first African-American and first woman elected as the Middlesex County Sheriff. This was a huge accomplishment and one that she deservedly earned.
Here’s hoping one day that we don’t have to preface a title with an ethnicity, gender, or religion.
There was a comment in referencing to why February was chosen as Black History Month. Some suggested it was because it’s the shortest month and the accomplishments of Black Americans are being short-changed. This is not the case.
The precursor to Black History Month was created in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the second week of February to be “Negro History Week”. This week was chosen because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and of Frederick Douglass on February 14, both of which dates black communities had celebrated together since the late 19th century. (www.asalh.org/)
Dean Schomburg recalled how his late Aunt Delores supported his grandfather, Arturo’s work and she became his (Dean’s) guiding light. “She wrote a family tree and kept all correspondence that my Grandfather had. She passed away in 1984. My grandfather, Arturo collected every piece of information regarding accomplishments of African-Americans. He collected over 10,000 books. His legacy is assured. With the Schomburg Center, his work will always shine.”
As with the first 4 recipients of the Schomburg Award, Sheriff Scott’s story is something to inspire all, no matter what race or gender you are. Follow her road map and you’ll be fine. C.M.
