Her Story
About Brenda
Brenda Stephens is a dedicated public servant whose career spans librarianship and education. She served as the first African American Public Library Director in North Carolina for Orange County Government for about 32 years after starting as a bookmobile driver following her military service. During that time, she also served 20 years on the school board as the longest-serving woman in her county and was honored as North Carolina's top school board member for one year. Now retired from the library role, she teaches middle school classes and volunteers extensively, including as an officer on the board of the Alliance for Historic Hillsboro, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, a board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Durham and Wake County, and Sunday school teacher for adults at her church. She has received the Longleaf Pine Award from the governor for her community service and is recognized in the notable African American database at the University of Kentucky. She attributes her success to a strong family work ethic and mentors others to lift up the next generation.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Brenda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I have a strong work ethic, and my family always has. My grandfather was a tobacco farmer. We worked hard. He worked hard, my parents worked hard. And they instilled in us around the table, because we had to have those family dinners, you know, at night. Those talks. So we had a strong family unit, and we had to work, and we were taught, never expect a handout. You work for what you get. And I do. I didn't expect anybody to give me anything.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Much is given, much is expected. If you have the energy and time, you need to give it, because if God's given you the ability to get out there, I think we need to use everything that we have to help and pull the next person, the next generation up. I mentor people, and I'll help people as much as I can. I don't want to hold some position forever. We need to bring others up and allow them to use their skills and abilities.
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