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THE PRINCIPALS
GRADUATES 1953 - 1959
Hamilton Holmes, MD
Wylma Long Blanding
Carolyn Long Banks
The valedictorian of the class of 1959 became the first Black male student to enroll in The University of Georgia. In 1963 he became the first Black admitted into Emory University School of Medicine and the first Black to graduate in 1967.
A Civil Rights activist and one of the first black principals of a predominately White school in Atlanta. She was intricately involved in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s that help integrate restaurants in Downtown Atlanta.
Is a Civil Rights leader and was an organizer of the Atlanta Student Movement. She worked along side, Julian Bond, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She holds the distinction as being the first black female to sit on the Atlanta City Council.
Carl A. Seldon
Betty Strickland, PhD
Barbara Hatton, PhD
In 1977, Carl Seldon was awarded a PGA card making him first Black in Georgia to earn his PGA Golf card. He would tour professionally on the PGA for the next 15 years
Judge Marvin Arrington
Led an exceptional career as an educator and administrator. Her career was filled with trailblazing accomplishments within the ranks of Atlanta Public School. Ultimately she became the first Black female to serve as Superintendent of Atlanta Public School.
Charlayne Hunter Gault
Was the first Black to earn a doctorate from Stanford University. She was the first female to serve as Dean of Students at Tuskegee University and the first woman president of South Carolina State University.
John Waters PhD
A self-proclaimed “thug” as a youngster would be amongst the first Black students admitted into Emory University's School of Law. This long time judge also served many years as president of the Atlanta City Council.
Mary Francis Early
In 1961, along with fellow Turner High graduate Hamilton Holmes, she integrated The University of Georgia. Charlayne went on to a career as a world-renowned television journalist, mostly covering human rights stories and social issues worldwide.
Dorothy Thomas Swan
In 1970 was the first Turner Graduate to gain a PhD in Biblical Studies from Boston University. He graduated with honors in the first graduating Class in 1953. He has an extensive background in the Ministry and Teaching.
Doris Thomas Stroud
Was the Valedictorian of the first graduating class of Turner High School (1953). She penned the lyrics to the school’s song, " To Thee O Dearest Turner" and is the first Black graduate from UGA. In 1962 she earned a Masters Degree in Music.
She is primarily responsible for starting the Annual Scholarship Prayer Breakfast and is the president of Turner's National Alumni Association.
Was the valedictorian of 1956. After graduating from Clark College she would serve as a counselor in the APS system.
Reverend Freeman
He is one of Turner's many distinguished graduates in the Ministry. Since 1992 he has served as pastor of the First Baptist Red Oak Church. He is also a re-known jazz musician.
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