Louise Wilson’s Legacy Lives on at Experiment in Self-Reliance

By Tevin Stinson/The Chronical- Winston-Salem - Feb 9, 2017

While Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcom X helped pave the way for civil rights at the national level, often local leaders doing the real ground work are overlooked during the month of February, Black History Month.

When discussing the fight for equal rights in Winston-Salem, Earline Parmon, Larry Womble, and Larry Little are some names that often come to mind but, not many know about the contributions of Louise Wilson.

A native of Bristol, Tennessee, from the day she arrived in Forsyth County, Wilson dedicated her time to ensuring those in need had the tools and resources to succeed in every aspect of life. After serving as an educator at Winston-Salem State University and the local school system, Wilson was named the first executive director of Experiment in Self Reliance (ESR), an agency that works to empower working low-income and chronically homeless individuals and families to achieve their full potential for long-term social and economic self-reliance.

ESR was born out of the Equal Opportunity Act of 1964, which was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It was founded in 1965. Wilson began working at ESR that year as assistant director. She became executive director in 1968. Under the tutelage of Wilson, the organization played a pivotal role in launching Head Start, Crisis Control, Trans-Aid and Legal Aid here in Forsyth County. With the help of a governing board made of 15 members, Wilson was also instrumental in forming the Neighborhood Youth Corps after school program, and a number of YMCA and YWCA camps.

Wilson was also the driving force behind sever-al job-training programs designed to improve the physical, social, and economic conditions of the community. Even after retiring in 1985, Wilson worked closely with then new executive director, Robert Law, to ensure a smooth transition. She also worked with other organizations in the community, including the local branch of the NAACP, N.C. Senior Citizens Federation, Council of Executive Directors, the Southwestern Association of Community Service, the Urban League Board of Directors, and the Association for Community Cooperation Board.

A year after she retired, ESR established the Louise G. Wilson Legacy Society to celebrate Wilsons’ legacy to serve. Even though she passed away just two years after the society was established, the imprint Wilson left on the city of Winston-Salem is still visible. Today, ESR is still working to improve the lives of those in need, and just as the needs of the community have changed, ESR has evolved as well.

ESR Executive Director Twana Roebuck said the agency has evolved from an emergency agency to an agency that focuses more on self-reliance through employment and leveraging vocational skills to aid in stabilizing their families.

Roebuck said, “I count it all joy to know that I stand on the shoulders of a trailblazer that formalized programs and services that we are continuing to implement through our mission of empowering people to become self-reliant.”

Each year, the Louise G. Wilson Legacy Society holds a donor celebration ceremony to personally thank donors. It is held with ESR’s fundraising event. This year, Winter Wonderland at the Ballpark will be 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at the BB&T Ballpark to raise funds to support its services, as well as offer donors and partners an avenue to get together, fellowship, and enjoy jazz music and food. Donors who give $1,000 or more each year will be inducted into the Louise G. Wilson Legacy Society at the event.
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ESR CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH, HONORS LOUISE G. WILSON
By Victoria von Dohlen/ Yes! Weekly - Winston-Salem - Feb 9, 2021 Updated Feb 9, 2021

WINSTON-SALEM – Since 1964, Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR) has been helping people help themselves. With more than 55 years of service in the community, the organization is one of the oldest non-profits in the community with a rich history.

As one of the original 11 Community Action Agencies (CAAs) in North Carolina, ESR and other CAAs were born out of the Equal Opportunity Act of 1964, the economic twin of the Civil Rights Act.

In the beginning, the agency has a pivotal role in launching local organizations such as HeadStart, Crisis Control, TransAid, Legal Aide, and others. Later, ESR helped launch senior, youth, and emergency assistance services.

Louise G. Wilson, one of ESR’s longtime Executive Directors, helped establish vital community programs for the poor and pave the way for Black leaders in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County.

A native of Bristol, TN, and a graduate of Fisk University, Wilson and her physician husband came to Winston-Salem in the early 1950's. She taught at Carver High School and Winston-Salem State College (today's Winston-Salem State University) before joining the civil rights movement in the 1960's.

Mrs. Wilson worked as the Assistant Director of ESR in 1964 before serving as Executive Director from 1968-1985. She dedicated her life and career to ESR and worked tirelessly to advocate for the low-moderate income population of Forsyth County.  Her lasting effect on ESR can be seen in many elements of the Housing Program and Self Sufficiency Program, and her impact on the community is still felt today. 

Ronald Jennings, grandson of the late Louise G. Wilson, continues to celebrate her legacy and reflect on her wisdom.

“My grandmother, Louise G. Wilson, was the greatest, one of the most amazing women I was blessed with to be a part of my life,” said Jennings. “She had a very beautiful spirit, an overwhelming energy, and she was always helping others every day.”

“As a child, I would ask her, ‘Granny, why do you do so much for other people?’ She would simply say, ‘Because that is what God wants me to do!’ As I got older, it helped me to understand that: Helping others is a Spiritual Duty that will not go unnoticed.”

In her honor, ESR established the Louise G. Wilson Legacy Society, created to recognize those who donate $1,000 or more throughout the year to ESR.  The gifts from members of the Louise G. Wilson Legacy Society provide crucial funding for the services ESR provides, bridging the gap between expenses and services and allowing ESR to serve more and more community members.

Today, ESR continues to serve the working low-income and chronically homeless in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County community, and clientele consists primarily of households with income below poverty level as defined by the federal government.

Twana W. Roebuck, who has been the Executive Director of ESR since 1998, has worked diligently to honor the history of the organization, recognizing the impact and legacy of community leaders who were determined to be a voice for the voiceless. “Black History Month is a point in time to celebrate legacy and vision of leaders such as Lousie Wilson, ESR’s Board of Directors, and governmental visionaries and faith based organizations that came together to support the needs of low-to-moderate income families and children in the 60s,” says Roebuck.

But her passion doesn’t stop there. “As the current leader, my passion is to continue providing services for the needy, fight for social justice, and inform the general public about the importance of empowering our youth and young adults academically to build their family infrastructure,” she says. “The future of our community is to build the framework for inclusion so all people can have a voice at the table of change and community building. We will have a better tomorrow and Winston Salem/Forsyth County.”

For more information on ESR or the Louise G. Wilson Legacy Society, visit www.eisr.org