Remembering Monica Banks
Monica Banks was a trailblazer for women political leaders and African Americans in Oktibbeha County and a strong, effective leader for us all. I knew she was sick, but was stunned to learn on Friday about her untimely death at the age of 58.
First elected in 1995, Monica Banks served over 20 years as the Oktibbeha County Chancery Clerk. She made history as the first African American elected countywide in Oktibbeha County as well as the first woman to hold this position since 1959.
Her election in 1995 and reelection in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015 is significant because African American candidates in Mississippi don’t often win in districts that are majority white. Monica Banks won six consecutive elections in Oktibbeha County because she was intelligent, competent, and genuinely cared about other people.
I last saw Monica this summer when she spoke at a class I taught on women’s political leadership at Mississippi University for Women. I knew she had a compelling story of overcoming obstacles, both as an African American and as a woman, because she also had helped the Stennis Center for Public Service many times by meeting with aspiring female college students who want to be leaders.
Monica first became interested in public service when then-Circuit Clerk Miriam Cook visited her high school class. Monica decided then that she wanted to follow in Cook’s footsteps. She was a natural leader who easily built relationships and had a passion for service. The late Dr. Douglas Conner, the most respected and accomplished civil rights leaders in Starkville, noticed Monica’s abilities and encouraged her to run for public office.
When Miriam Cook retired, the very capable Angie McGinnis sought Dr. Conner’s endorsement for Circuit Clerk and personally sought out Monica for support as well. Monica supported Angie, but the fire inside her stilled burned to serve her community in elective office. When the office of chancery clerk opened, Monica threw her hat into the ring and the rest, as they say, is history.
Particularly in her first term, Monica faced a number of challenges which I won’t detail here. But she worked hard, kept a positive attitude, and learned how to negotiate the so-called courthouse crowd in order to be effective. Eventually, she won over those who challenged her authority, and by doing so, she paved the way for others.
The most enjoyable project I worked on with Monica was Unity Park, located behind Mug Shots restaurant and across from the courthouse. The park, which honors heroes who advanced civil rights in Mississippi, was delayed and needed some changes. Monica brought a group together who had experience in local race relations, and soon the new park was open.
Monica’s death leaves a void in county leadership. Even more, for those who knew her, we will miss her friendship. She was uplifting and always had a kind word to say. Senator John Stennis once said the key to success in politics was to genuinely like people. Monica loved others, and she was loved in return by those she so faithfully served.
Monica was a strong Christian woman, married to a preacher, and active in her church. She could sing like the angels. I’m sure she’s singing with them today, but thank God she came our way and made our little corner of the world better.
Brother Rogers works at the Stennis Center for Public Service and is a guest columnist for the Starkville Daily News.
First elected in 1995, Monica Banks served over 20 years as the Oktibbeha County Chancery Clerk. She made history as the first African American elected countywide in Oktibbeha County as well as the first woman to hold this position since 1959.
Her election in 1995 and reelection in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015 is significant because African American candidates in Mississippi don’t often win in districts that are majority white. Monica Banks won six consecutive elections in Oktibbeha County because she was intelligent, competent, and genuinely cared about other people.
I last saw Monica this summer when she spoke at a class I taught on women’s political leadership at Mississippi University for Women. I knew she had a compelling story of overcoming obstacles, both as an African American and as a woman, because she also had helped the Stennis Center for Public Service many times by meeting with aspiring female college students who want to be leaders.
Monica first became interested in public service when then-Circuit Clerk Miriam Cook visited her high school class. Monica decided then that she wanted to follow in Cook’s footsteps. She was a natural leader who easily built relationships and had a passion for service. The late Dr. Douglas Conner, the most respected and accomplished civil rights leaders in Starkville, noticed Monica’s abilities and encouraged her to run for public office.
When Miriam Cook retired, the very capable Angie McGinnis sought Dr. Conner’s endorsement for Circuit Clerk and personally sought out Monica for support as well. Monica supported Angie, but the fire inside her stilled burned to serve her community in elective office. When the office of chancery clerk opened, Monica threw her hat into the ring and the rest, as they say, is history.
Particularly in her first term, Monica faced a number of challenges which I won’t detail here. But she worked hard, kept a positive attitude, and learned how to negotiate the so-called courthouse crowd in order to be effective. Eventually, she won over those who challenged her authority, and by doing so, she paved the way for others.
The most enjoyable project I worked on with Monica was Unity Park, located behind Mug Shots restaurant and across from the courthouse. The park, which honors heroes who advanced civil rights in Mississippi, was delayed and needed some changes. Monica brought a group together who had experience in local race relations, and soon the new park was open.
Monica’s death leaves a void in county leadership. Even more, for those who knew her, we will miss her friendship. She was uplifting and always had a kind word to say. Senator John Stennis once said the key to success in politics was to genuinely like people. Monica loved others, and she was loved in return by those she so faithfully served.
Monica was a strong Christian woman, married to a preacher, and active in her church. She could sing like the angels. I’m sure she’s singing with them today, but thank God she came our way and made our little corner of the world better.
Brother Rogers works at the Stennis Center for Public Service and is a guest columnist for the Starkville Daily News.