About the Author

Sandra Rose Morris Kemp, local historian, lived her early years in Mohemenco Hamlet, Powhatan, Virginia. Upon reaching adulthood, she lived in Washington, DC; Greenbelt, Maryland; Eads, Colorado; and Aurora, Colorado. Since 1988, she has resided in the metropolitan Richmond, Virginia, area with her husband, Darryl Kemp. They have a daughter and two grandsons living in the area.

Ms. Kemp’s education includes attendance at Pocahontas Elementary School and Pocahontas and Powhatan High Schools. She pursued higher education at West Virginia State College, Howard University, Virginia Commonwealth University (BFA in fashion design, 1971), the University of the District of Columbia (MA in adult education, 1977), and the University of Maryland (advanced graduate specialist in adult, extension, and continuing education, 1988). Ms. Kemp’s other training includes the following: Leadership for Innovation and Change (NOVA University–Fort Lauderdale), US Peace Corps, US Army National Guard, Powhatan Leadership Institute, Richmond Hill Pastoral Care and Counseling, and Foundations for BeFriender Ministry (University of St. Thomas–Minnesota [the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity]).

Her work experience includes teaching in correctional education, cooperative extension service, and public housing. She wrote the book Hat Making Made Simple, developed the curriculum for the Milliner Correspondence Course, and taught millinery. She has also worked in the field of retail management.

Ms. Kemp became the first African American to graduate from Powhatan County High School and Virginia Commonwealth University Fashion Design Department and to serve as a Colorado State University Extension agent in Southeast Colorado.

She has served on the following boards and committees: Francis Emma Inc. (board of directors, co-facilitator for the Belmead Granary Planning Circle and Oral History Project), War Memorial Building Use Committee, Tourism Board, Social Services Board, Chamber of Commerce Pictorial History Committee, 150th Anniversary of the Civil War County Committee, and Pocahontas Middle School Revitalization Use Committee.

Ms. Kemp’s interests and hobbies include the following: property rental, home decorating, millinery and fashion design, historical preservation, research and writing, health and fitness, relaxing with jazz music, watching documentary programs, photography, and traveling.