Name: Turner, William H. (1931-2002)

Historical Note: William H. Turner was born in 1931, in the Overtown community of Miami, FL.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, FL, in 1956, a Master of Education degree from the University of Miami in 1969, and a Doctor of Law degree from Faith College in Birmingham, AL, in 1982.  Turner began his career working as a police officer (1956-1957) and public school teacher (1957-1971) in Dade County.  In 1971, he was elected to the Dade County School Board, becoming the first African American to serve on the board.  His first term on the school board ended in 1978, when he was defeated in a re-election bid, but he was re-elected in 1982.  He then served on the school board until 1992, serving as board chair from 1989-1991.  In 1992, Turner was elected to the Florida State Senate, representing District 36 in Dade County, and served as a state senator until 1998, when he was defeated in a Democratic primary.  William H. Turner Technical Arts High School in Miami-Dade was named for him in 1993.  Turner passed away in 2002.

Sources: William H. Turner papers, BAF, Miami, FL; “School board veteran Turner to run for state senate,” Miami Herald, 5 Mar 1992, p. 1B; “W. Turner, 71; State Senator, Educator,” Miami Herald, 2 Nov 2002, p. 4B; “William Turner, state senator, integrated Dade school board,” Westside Gazette (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), 13 Nov 2002, p. 4.

Note Author: Elliot D. Williams

Records or Manuscript Collections Created by Turner, William H.