Austin Community College District (ACC) celebrates the life and accomplishments of Ada Collins Anderson. Anderson was the first African American trustee elected to the college’s independent Board of Trustees. Her win in 1982 also marked the first time an African American candidate won a countywide election in Travis County.
She passed away June 3, 2021, at the age of 99 from natural causes. Anderson is remembered as a philanthropist, community activist, and trailblazer.
“She was referred to as everyone’s hero because she never gave up,” says Gigi Edwards Bryant, ACC trustee. “I’m here because of her. I want to thank her for paving the way with the many things that she’s done, and I want to make sure that each of you has the opportunity to read about her and to get to know her.”
Trustee Bryant shared these remarks and more at the Board’s June 7 meeting. Watch her comments here and read Anderson’s obituary here.