April 1, 2019

It was a great honor to this week to join Rep. Sean Lynn in sponsoring a resolution to honor Hattie Bernice Dabney Mishoe as the First Lady of Delaware State University and encourage the school to name a building after her.

Mishoe's impact on DSU, the City of Dover, Delaware - City Hall and our entire state is immeasurable.

During her husband Dr. Luna Mishoe's 27-year tenure as president of what was then Delaware State College, Mrs. Mishoe acted as a mother to thousands of students by cooking them meals and even giving them places to stay during housing shortages.

A nurse herself, she also became the champion of DSU's nursing degree program, served as president of the Dover High School PTA and played a central role in the school's integration, with her own daughter becoming one of DHS's first African-American students.

Mrs. Mishoe also was very active at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Dover, a member of the Dover chapter of The Links, Incorporated, the Electra Chapter #6 of the The Order of the Eastern Star and vice president of Mishoe Tower Inc.

Sadly, Mrs. Mishoe passed away in 2009 but her legacy in Dover lives on.

Her second daughter Dr. Wilma Mishoe recently became DSU's first female president while her youngest, the Rev. Rita Mishoe Paige is the longtime pastor of Star Hill AME Church.

Senator Trey Paradee