The Dr. Bertha Sadler Means
Endowment for Racial Justice
About the endowment and Dr. Bertha Sadler Means:
The purpose of this Endowment is to fund, in perpetuity, Seminary programs to support visiting black scholars, research in Texas slavery and racism, teaching racial justice, formation and empowerment of Black leaders, and encouragement for Episcopal Black ministries within and beyond the Diocese of Texas.
About Dr. Bertha Sadler Means
Dr. Bertha Sadler Means is a former successful educator, civil rights activist, and business owner. A well-known Episcopalian in the city of Austin, she was a true education pioneer. She worked in the Austin Independent School District before her retirement, having taught in both elementary and secondary education. Her specialty was reading education.
Means also left an indelible mark in higher education, having taught at both Prairie View A&M College and the University of Texas at Austin and also provided professional development at Huston Tillotson University in the area of teaching and learning.
She is also known as a political activist and community leader and is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. Dr. Means is a 1945 graduate of Tillotson College, a predecessor institution to Huston-Tillotson University. With deep roots in Austin, she continued her education at the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Means enjoyed a long career in education and retired from Austin Independent School District. She also served on the Huston Tillotson Board of Trustees from 2004-2008, and is the owner of Austin Cab Company.
In her honor on the campus of Huston Tillotson University is The Bertha Sadler Means African American Resource Center located in the Anthony and Louise Viaer-Alumni Hall. This honor was bestowed upon her as a result of her philanthropic support over the years.
Dr. Means is a long-time, devoted member of St. James’ Episcopal Church, Austin.
Photo credit: Huston-Tillotson University