TAMPA, Fla. — Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Doris Ross Reddick was Hillsborough County's first Black elected School Board member. She was in fact the county's first Black woman elected to the board.

One of Hillsborough County’s most impactful educators and history makers is honored every time children enter the school named after her.

And with all the changes she’s made for the Black community, her family wants to make sure everyone knows about her contributions and sacrifices. 

The family of Doris Ross Reddick sees her as a giant who represents Florida’s history.

“I can’t even express that in words, because so often, it’s so much that you do not hear. But when you have a person that’s at your fingertips, that can share the stories — share the stories that can not be distorted — it’s huge,” Reddick’s cousin, Alva Simmons said.

Reddick became the first Black woman elected to the Hillsborough County School Board in 1992 and she was the first Black woman to chair the school board. 

“Seeing her as a role model. Seeing how she led. Seeing how she stood, even when there were unpopular times to stand,” Simmons said.

The impact Reddick made on her younger cousin’s life is something she describes as immeasurable. 

“When I became assistant principal at Plant High School, and I was only the second African American female to serve in that capacity and the youngest assistant principal at that time, we had our own conversation and she said, ‘Look at us now,’” said Simmons. “She said we came from that same neighborhood in South Tampa, cleaning the homes.”

It’s an emotional reality for Simmons, who now works to make sure minority businesses that are bidding and working with the district get a fair share. She works as a supervisor for the district’s Office of Access and Opportunity. It’s the same kind of work Reddick started when she served on the school board.

Now at 96 years old, Reddick is still inspiring her family, friends and young people. Every year on her birthday, she shares her love of education with the teachers and students at the Hillsborough County school in Wimauma, named after her.

Aliya Norman is the principal of Reddick Elementary School, where 45% of students are English language learners.

“We are honored to have Mrs. Reddick as our namesake and the legacy we have in our school. Her model and belief in expectations for students, that every student deserves a high-quality education, no matter their background, no matter where they come from,” Norman said.

Reddick’s late mother, Clemmie Ross James, also had a school named after her in East Tampa. So, whether you’re in Wimauma or East Tampa, there’s no denying the legacy of Reddick is etched in Hillsborough County’s history.

That’s the kind of legacy that continues to make the Reddick family proud — proving that one person can really make a difference.