Black Women’s History Month: Etta Marie Greene

Black Women’s History Month: Etta Marie Greene

As we continue with the “Share Her Name” campaign, I want to contribute by writing about a Black woman who has been extremely influential in my life. You most likely have never heard of her, but her name is Etta Marie Greene. She has been a quiet but powerful influence all of my life, so let me tell you a little about her and why she has had such an impact.  

Etta Marie Greene

Mrs. Etta Marie Greene was born in Jones County, North Carolina, in 1931 to a couple from Jones County, Lawyer and Etta Dove. She was obviously named after her mother, who was the wife of a tobacco and corn farmer. Marie, as she was called, would have probably been recruited to the Women’s National Basketball Association had it existed back in her time. She was a highly skilled point guard, and in the 8th grade she was selected to play on the varsity basketball team. She continued to play on the team each year through her senior year. Her school did not have a gymnasium and they played their games outside on dirt courts. When they made it to the championship game in her senior year, they finally got to play inside an auditorium for the first time, and she made as many points by herself as their opponents’ whole team! 

She has attended Kings Chapel church all of her life, became a member at age 12, has been a Mother of the Church for the past 22 years, and has been an example of someone who lives out her faith on a daily basis. She attended North Carolina Central University after high school, but she left school when she married her high school sweetheart on March 23, 1952, because he had been ordered to report for military duty, and he did not want to leave her behind when he went overseas. Together they had four sons and three daughters, of which I was the second born. Mrs. Etta Greene worked as a Certified Nurse’s Aide in a psychiatric hospital for 27 years before retirement, then returned to work for 16 more years assisting in Visitation.  

The reason she has had such an impact on me is her gentle, loving spirit and her unconditional love for her family. She is still devoted to my father and celebrates their undying love even 23 years after his passing. That is a love that lasts, and that is an example of Black Love that gives me inspiration and hope for us as a people and love as a force of life. Help me honor and celebrate the humble, wise, and loving woman who is Etta Marie Greene. 

This story is shared by Fielding faculty-trustee Anthony F. “AGee” Greene, Ph.D. 

We invite every member of the Fielding community to honor a Black Woman in their life and share her name. We would like to celebrate the names of Black Women that may not always be recognized but play a vital role in our lives. How to participate: prepare a 300-word essay about the Black Woman you want to recognize. Share why she is important to you. Send the essay, accompanied by a photo or image representing her, to media@fielding.edu. #ShareHerName