|
Willa Diggs-Gentry, 80, talks about her family, education, career and volunteer work at a local church, at her home in El Centro on Monday. (JOSELITO VILLERO PHOTO / February 18, 2013) |
Editor’s Note: A resolution honoring five Valley residents for Black History Month will be presented to the Imperial County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 26. The Imperial Valley Press will feature each of the five individuals every few days leading up to that date.
Viewed by many as an unsung hero for African-Americans in the Valley, 80-year-old Willa Diggs-Gentry always believed in working hard and following her passion in life.
Acting as a role model for many individuals in the local black community, Diggs-Gentry helped encourage community members to apply themselves and strive for the American dream.
“She is truly a loving, kind and compassionate person, who paved the way for people in the black community to follow,” said Marlene Thomas, a local member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Having originally migrated from Longview, Texas, with her parents and brother following World War II, Diggs-Gentry attended Douglas High School, a former all black high school in El Centro, for two years before becoming one of the first African-Americans to graduate from Central Union High School after the local schools became integrated.
Diggs-Gentry graduated from Imperial Valley College with an Associate of Arts degree in business in 1953 and later obtained an Associate in Science degree in nursing in 1973.
“I remember after graduating from IVC, I was applying for a job as a receptionist and the lady who was hiring at the time asked me, ‘How do you think it would look with you in the front?’ just because of my skin color,” Diggs-Gentry said. “There was some prejudice back then and I just remember feeling so hurt.”
Having struggled to find a job in the Valley due to her race, Diggs-Gentry decided to go back to school and attend the University of California, San Bernardino, to obtain her Public Health Nurse Certification.
“You have to love what you’re doing. You have to have a real passion for it or you won’t be happy. In the end I had a passion for nursing,” Diggs-Gentry said.
She soon returned to the Valley working for the county of Imperial in various nursing positions and later retired from the Public Health Department as a nurse supervisor after 33 years of service.
“When you look back on your life and reflect on who you’ve helped, you never expect it will be many. I just live my life low key,” Diggs-Gentry said.
Having been inspired by her passion for nursing, many including Marlene Thomas admired Diggs-Gentry for her gumption.
“I grew up looking up to her. She was a role model for working hard and going after what you want in life,” Thomas said.
Staff Writer Celeste Alvarez can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at calvarez@ivpressonline.com
To comment on this story click here to be directed to Facebook.
