Sylvia Robinson

Year Inducted: 2022

Sylvia Robinson was born July 29,1950, in Wilkes County, North Carolina, to Paul and Gertrude Robinson. She attended Lincoln Heights School and graduated from Wilkes Central High School in 1968. After high school she attended North Carolina Central University and graduated in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree.

In 1972 Robinson began her teaching career at Wilkesboro Elementary School, followed by Woodward Junior High School, and finally ended her career at Wilkes Central High School. She was a teacher of social studies, government and history. Sylvia Robinson proudly and enthusiastically dedicated her entire thirty-two year career to the Wilkes County School System.

Throughout her tenure Robinson coached many sports teams and sponsored various clubs: volleyball, softball, basketball, cheerleaders, Tar Heel Junior Historians, and the Sojourner Truth Academy. Miss Robinson was involved in every aspect of the schools in which she taught. She attended and was an integral part of every meeting, sporting event, concert, play, dance, awards program, graduation, and any important occasion that occurred. She led by example and was the epitome of a dedicated educator. Miss Robinson was recognized by the faculty and students at Wilkes Central High School as “Millennium Teacher of the Year.”

Sylvia Robinson was also a leader in her community. She was appointed as a member of Board of Trustees at Wilkes Community College, served on the Wilkes Health Foundation, Wilkes Care Net, Wilkes Partnership for Children, Wilkes Relay for Life and served as Chair of Wilkes Literacy Board where she received the Educational Advancement Award. At Rickard’s Chapel AME Zion Church Robinson served as Director of Christian Education and a member of the Gospel Choir. She was also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

In 2006 Miss Robinson received a serious breast cancer diagnosis. She completed her treatments and resumed teaching and living her life. In 2012 the cancer returned and this time was not as treatable; however, Sylvia kept on challenging her illness. She waged a lengthy and difficult battle, all the while continuing to teach and serve and keep her strong faith. She lived by her mantra taken from the title of an old African American Spiritual, “I Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now.”

Sylvia Robinson lost her long and courageous fight with cancer on June 4, 2020.