1. Our National Presidents Phenomenal Women Leading the way.......
© Copyright The Pierians, Inc.
Our National Presidents
Phenomenal Women Leading the way
Passing the torch

2. Jessie Colson
Washington, D.C. Chapter
1st National President

3. Jessie Colson 1982 - 1983 1983 - 1985 Washington, D.C. Chapter
1st National President
Our first National President, who served during the time of our development as a national organization dedicated to the appreciation of the fine arts was Dr. Jessie Colson. A pioneer with a vision for what we could become and a lover of all that is artistic in nature, she nurtured this group until it became a national force dedicated to embracing and celebrating the arts. With a keen work ethic and sense of dedication and attention to detail, Jessie led the group through its beginning years:
*Organized the First Interest Group in the Washington area which later
became the Washington, D.C. Chapter.
*Chartered new chapters in Columbia, Maryland and Palm Coast, Florida
*Organized and administered conduct of three National Assemblies (Baltimore,
Washington, D.C., and Columbia Maryland)
*Co-chaired committee to update the two Documentaries on The Pierians
Chronology ( ) and Chronology(1992 – 1998)
Her career allowed her to travel to more than thirty countries worldwide and she lived for a time in Greenwich Village, New York. These experiences provided opportunities to learn to appreciate people and the humanities.
“I learned early in life that to enjoy a happy and rewarding life, that one needed to have a passion for something in addition to a career. I do have a passion for the arts; to learn more, to become appreciative, to share, and to grow.” Jessie Colson

4. Lydia W. Mussenden
Baltimore Chapter
2nd National President

5. Lydia W. Mussenden 1985 - 1987 Baltimore Chapter
2nd National President
Second National President, Lydia Mussenden, was one of the original ten founding members of the organization. Founder Annette C. Johnson gathered together ten friends to explore the possibility of forming a club for the primary purpose of studying the arts.
“We caught the enthusiasm, the vision and the excitement that Annette portrayed, and so we have developed and focused along these unique trends.” Thus, with the forming of the Baltimore club, The Pierians was born.
With style and grace, Lydia Mussenden guided The Pierians during its transition to a national organization with chapters in several cities. With the founding of the Pittsburgh chapter, the organization expanded its scope beyond the east coast. She worked with Past President Jessie Colson to write the first By-Laws. It was during her tenure that the organization became incorporated. Working with Sylvia Cooke Martin of the Columbia Chapter, the organization became The Pierians, Incorporated.
Lydia Mussenden enjoyed a long career as a Dietician and Educator. She loves to travel to famous museums throughout the world.
“I would like to think that The Pierians will continue to foster stimulating learning experiences related to the arts and cultivate new friendships.” Lydia Mussenden

6. Pearl C. Brackett
Baltimore Chapter
3rd National President

7. Pearl C. Brackett 1987 - 1989 Baltimore Chapter 3rd National President
Our third National President was Pearl Brackett. She had the vision of bringing the organization into greater prominence through induction of Honorary Members chosen from women of national and international importance--renown in the arts or who were major supporters of the arts. She was fascinated by the concept of a “unique” club with emphasis on learning about art in depth, and embraced The Pierians.
Pearl Brackett proposed the induction of Etta Moten Barnett, singer, actress and art patron, for honorary membership, and a trend was started. Pearl also proposed having an affiliated group of distinguished women, known as “The Grannies”, who were interested in the arts. These women were often collectors and had shown support for The Pierians.
With the launching of the first National Newsletter, local chapters were kept informed of news from the national office and also from each chapter. During her tenure, there were chapters in Baltimore, Washington, Columbia, Maryland, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Pearl Brackett was an Educator and Administrator and enjoyed public speaking, gourmet cooking and duplicate bridge. She loved to travel and was known to take “crash courses” in a language just before traveling. She passed on in August 2000.
“By enhancing your life with style, substance, and structure, you empower the lives you touch.” Pearl Brackett

8. Joyce M. Hickman
Washington, D.C. Chapter
4th National President

9. Joyce M. Hickman 1989 - 1991 1991 - 1993 Washington, D.C. Chapter
4th National President
Joyce Martin Hickman served as the fourth National President and presided over the induction of our first three Honorary Members:
Eta Moten Barnett -- Concert artist, lecturer, recitalist, stage and screen star
Dr. Selma H. Burke -- Scupltress, painter, creator of the profile of FDR which
appears on the dime
Dr. Eileen T. Cline -- Artist, musician, educator, author of The Pierian Song
and The Pierian Hymn
She has had a varied and exciting career: Special Assistant to the President of Benedict College (South Carolina); program manager for several non-profit organizations; Adjunct Professor at Southeastern University.
During her administration, The Pierians expanded to include chapters in Flint, Michigan and in Baltimore County, Maryland. The Pierian Times, the National Newsletter, was published four times each year of her administration, communication between chapters increased and the Technology Committee was established. It was Joyce Hickman’s philosophy that the group needed to grow and expand and not continue to do “business as usual”, but should become more of a presence and attract members with diverse interests and experiences.
“We want to be on the cutting edge. We must reach beyond our comfort zone. Let us all be devoted, visionary leaders willing to work in our chapters, and in our communities to continue the dream.” Joyce Hickman

10. Roberta M. Briscoe
Columbia Chapter
5th National President

11. Roberta M. Briscoe 1993 - 1995 Columbia Chapter 5th National President
Fifth National President Roberta M. Briscoe was truly a lover of the fine arts.
Roberta Briscoe enjoyed a long career as an Educator and Librarian. She was a collector of art and displayed it throughout her home. She enjoyed the ballet, loved opera and plays, and would travel to New York to enjoy performances at the Metropolitan Opera.
During her administration, the National Ritual Book was instituted. This became part of the Manual of Guidelines and Procedures. A new Pierian banner was purchased, for use at national functions, and the National Pierian Journal was begun. The organization was expanded with the chartering of the Prince Georges County, Maryland chapter. The theme for her administration: “Survival of the Arts—A Way of Life”, pointed to our heritage, offered a challenge to the present, and required thought about the future.
Through her leadership and vision, The Pierians were encouraged to promote and foster interest in the arts. She felt it was our responsibility to “keep the arts alive”, particularly during “difficult times”, and to encourage enjoyment of the arts especially among young people.
Her personal creed was to live life to the fullest and enjoy the richness that life has to offer.
Roberta Briscoe passed on in fall 2001.

12. Madelyn Hairston Giddens
Pittsburgh Chapter
6th National President

13. Madelyn Hairston Giddens
Madelyn Hairston Giddens
Pittsburgh Chapter
6th National President
Sixth National President Madelyn Hairston Giddens is a dynamo who guided the organization as it blazed new trails to the west of the Baltimore/Washington area. She assisted her chapter in hosting the National Assembly in Pittsburgh, which had as its theme “Seeing is Believing” . It was an exciting weekend devoted to the arts!
During her tenure as National President, she had several goals: To increase attendance at the upcoming assembly; to increase the membership in local chapters; to work closely with the Flint, Michigan chapter. She succeeded admirably and as a result, the National Assembly in Flint, Michigan more than met the membership expectations, and made a positive impact on the Flint community. Also during her tenure, the Memorial Service was written and has become a part of our Manual of Guidelines and Procedures.
Madelyn Giddens enjoyed a rewarding career as an educator and served as Vice Principal Dean of Students for the Pittsburgh Public School District. The enjoys the symphony, playing bridge, reading and traveling.
My favorite quotation, she says, is from N.Maciwell, “God does not begin by asking about our ability but only about our availability! And if we then prove our dependability, He will increase our capability”.
My father always taught us: “You may be the only Bible some people read. Therefore, it pays to think good thoughts, be good, do good, plan for good events, and look good.”
“This is my personal creed.” Madelyn Giddens

14. Mary Kernodle Bracey
Columbia Chapter
7th National President

15. Mary Kernodle Bracey 1997 - 1999 Columbia Chapter
7th National President
Seventh National President Mary Bracey combined elegance and panache as she steered the group to the brink of the 21st century. From launching the national website to the publication of an Engagement Calendar (featuring African-Americans in the arts); from commissioning a ceremonial candelabra designed by Pierian Reva Lewie, to the revision and publication of the Manual of Guidelines and Procedures, Mary Bracey has been at the forefront of this organization.
Mary Bracey said, “I joined The Pierians, Incorporated to affiliate with others interested in the arts, to share interests, lifestyles and activities associated with the arts, and to enjoy the personal benefits of learning specific information from professional artists.”
Mary Bracey has enjoyed a rewarding career as an Education Administrator and has traveled extensively throughout the world. Each place she visits, she embraces the arts and enjoys the richness of the diversity of cultures.
“I have lived by two quotations”, she says, “From my mother...’If someone throws you the ball, you don’t have to catch it.’ and one from Mother Teresa.....’Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.’”
Mary Bracey, leading the way into the new millennium…..

16. Mollie W. Neal
Washington, D.C. Chapter
8th National President

17. Mollie W. Neal 1999 - 2001 Washington, D.C. Chapter
8th National President
The Honorable Mollie W. Neal was our eighth National President. Her administration was dedicated to enhancing and preserving the national prominence of The Pierians, Incorporated, its historical significance, and its artistic objectives, and in reviving the procedures necessary to allow the group to obtain 501(c)3 status. To these ends, two new chapters were established: In Atlanta, Georgia and in Richmond, Virginia. These chapters increased our presence to the South and Southeast. The Pierians also commissioned two carved wooden panels for the James E. Lewis Museum at Morgan State University. The panels were to be carved by Nigerian artist Olonade Fakekye and would serve to increase our regional, if not national, presence as benefactor and patron of the arts. They would be dedicated to our founder, Annette C. Johnson.
In achieving fully tax exempt status, procedures were instituted for the group to regain 501(c)7 status, to regain the Maryland State Charter, and to be positioned to obtain full 501(c)3 status.
During her administration we inducted the fourth honorary member:
Dr. Vivian Davidson Hewitt -- Collector, benefactor, advocate for the arts
Mollie Neal enjoyed a long and illustrious legal career that culminated in her appointment to the bench as an Administrative Law Judge. She enjoys traveling to countries all over the world, exploring the richness of each country and its art. She owns a vast collection of fine art by many world-famous African-American artists.
Mollie Neal envisions The Pierians as a group that is poised to take on the challenges of the future as we increase awareness of and appreciation for the arts.
“The progress we have made gives impetus to the future direction of The Pierians in the 21st Century”. Mollie Neal

18. Sylvia Cooke Martin
Columbia Chapter
9th National President

19. Sylvia Cooke Martin 2001 - 2003 Columbia Chapter
9th National President
Our ninth National President is known far and wide for her artistic flare, her love of history and her command of an audience. Sylvia Cooke Martin is one of the most creative people who has ever served as National President. She is equally at home planning a gala event or addressing an audience.
During her administration, three new honorary members were inducted into the organization:
Eva Anderson -- Dancer, choreographer
Dr. Leslie Hammond King -- Art historian, educator, artist
Dr. Vernell Lillie -- Artistic director, theatre producer, writer, lecturer
She guided the group through a memorable project with the installation of two carved wooden panels for the Lewis Gallery of the Murphy Fine Arts Center at Morgan State University. The panels were a gift of The Pierians, Incorporated and are an example of our continuing support of the arts. They stand as a legacy for our organization. Seeing the need for increased services to Pierians, she planned the establishment of a Member Services committee which identifies skills and interests available within our own ranks, stressing that we do not need to continually ‘re-invent the wheel’.
Sylvia Cooke Martin’s profession as a Human Resource Manager allowed her to serve as Chief of Staff Training and Development for the Library of Congress and later as Assistant Director of the McNair Scholars Program, University of Maryland Baltimore County. She is an avid researcher of genealogy and history, and loves to travel.
Her own personal statement: “Life is a system of reciprocity”.

20. Baltimore County Chapter
Shirley T. Hill
Baltimore County Chapter
10th National President

21. Baltimore County Chapter
Shirley T. Hill
Baltimore County Chapter
10th National President
Shirley T. Hill, our tenth National President, brings a finely tuned sense of organization to The Pierians, Incorporated. On her watch, The Pierians re-established 501(c) (7) status and is well on the way to becoming a fully functional 501(c) (3) organization. She established the headquarters for our National Archives at the Howard County Center of African-American Culture and instituted a process for gathering and maintaining chapter and member information at that center.
The theme for Shirley Hill’s administration was “Pierian Vision, Pierian Mission: The Enhancement of the Arts”. The focus was to have each local chapter identify and explore African-American art and artists in their area. Each locale has a rich history of artists, many of whom are nationally known and of historical significance to the artistic community. Chapter programs were then designed around affirming the presence of these artists. The national office has affirmed its support of art through its membership in the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The Howard County Center for African-American Culture, and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore. An investigation is also underway to have a wax figure of founder Annette C. Johnson placed in the Great Blacks in Wax Museum.
Shirley Hill enjoyed an illustrious career as an Education Administrator as principal of a Baltimore City High School and as Assistant to the Southern Area Superintendent. She enjoys classical music, singing, writing poetry.
My favorite quotation, she says, is from William Somerset Maugham: “Art, if it is to be reckoned as one of the great values of life, must teach men humility, tolerance, wisdom, and magnanimity. The value of art is not beauty, but right action.”
Shirley T. Hill, enhancing our stature, continuing the legacy.....

22. The Legacy Continues
From one phenomenal woman onto the next... As long as a love of the arts continues to inspire us, The Pierians, Incorporated will bring forth women of distinction and grace who will lead us in new paths. As long as there is music to be heard, paintings to be seen, poetry and dance to be experienced, our leaders will be inspired to spread the joy of art for its own sake.
“A Little Learning is a dangerous thing....drink deep or taste not the Pierian Spring;
There, shallow draughts intoxicate the brain; but drinking largely, sobers us again”
Alexander Pope