The academic achievements of William and Alice Roberts’ nine children were recognized this week as the “Siblings of the Year” by Neighbor To Family, Inc., a national foster-care agency whose mission is to keep brothers and sisters together.
“The Roberts siblings show us everyday why society should treasure the sibling bond,” said Gordon Johnson, Neighbor To Family’s founder.
“Together they have accomplished so much through their service to the community, their professional success and by inspiring many people over the years. This family’s story illustrates why brothers and sisters in foster care should not be further traumatized by being torn apart from each other, sometimes permanently.”
From oldest to youngest, the siblings are: Gloria Roberts Jubilee (deceased); William Lincoln Roberts, Jr.; Geraldine Roberts Waters; Carolyn Mae Roberts; Veris Roberts Lee; Hilda Jane Roberts Wood; Shirley Ann Roberts Edwards, Albert Roberts (deceased) and, Alma Roberts.
It is noteworthy that each of William and Alice Robert’s children graduated from a Baltimore City public high school. The magnitude of their success inspires a call to action to all members of our community. As you learn more about this family in the profiles that follow, please consider ways you can help public schools regain their reputation as the foundation for a lifetime of high achievement.
The late Gloria R. Jubilee not only graduated third of her class at Frederick Douglass Senior High, she also graduated at the top of her class from Coppin State College (now university). She received her Master’s Degree from Columbia University’s Teacher College. Very active in the NAACP, she was involved in the civil rights movement. Sadly her career was cut short by illness and she died at the age of 40. William Lincoln Roberts is the family’s first son. He graduated from Douglass in 1950. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy. After his discharge, he began his 30-year employment with the United States Post Office, retiring in 1987. A devoted family man and a Mason, William has five children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Dr. Geraldine R. Waters, is the third oldest, she graduated with honors from Frederick Douglass Senior High in 1952. She attended Coppin State College, graduated third in her class, and went on to teach in the Baltimore City Public Schools System for 13 years. In 1968, she received her Master’s Degree in Education and an advanced graduate certificate from the University of Maryland, College Park. She, later, received an Ed.D. in Curriculum Technology from there as well.
Dr. Waters began teaching at Coppin in 1970 and continued her tenure for 34 years; serving as Dean, full professor and Chair of the Department of Adult Education. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Epsilon Omega Chapter) and belongs to the Philomathians and Coppin State College Women’s Symposium. She has one daughter and two grandchildren.
Carolyn M. Roberts is the family’s fourth child. She graduated first in her class from Frederick Douglass Senior High School in June, 1955. She attended the Baltimore Junior College (now Baltimore City Community College) until illness cut her studies short.
She worked as a nurse’s assistant in a nursing home and as a receptionist for the G.E.D. program at the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church until she retired. She is a life-member of the Frederick Douglass High School Alumni Association and a member of the Coppin State College Women’s Symposium.
Next week— Education Matters concludes this “Roots of Education” story with profiles of the other Roberts siblings and their academic legacy.
“The Roberts siblings show us everyday why society should treasure the sibling bond,” said Gordon Johnson, Neighbor To Family’s founder. 
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