PRESS RELEASE- Anna S. Bright’s lifelong motto, If I can help somebody, then my living shall not be in vain, speaks for itself. A personal goal that Mrs. Bright has had for a long time is to become a member of the local school board. Consequently, she is a candidate in District 4 of Colleton County. The election will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. She comes with four decades of experience in the public schools of South Carolina and Alabama, with the majority of them being in Colleton County.
When asked why she is vying to become a member of the school board, Mrs. Bright says, “There are two main reasons why I am running. First of all, I want to make a significant difference in the Colleton County School District. Secondly, I want to give back to the county that was more than good enough to educate my family and me. Having served 40 successful years in the classroom as a teacher, I feel that I have gained a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will guide me to be more understanding of what our students, teachers, support staff and administrators need to educate our children. Teaching was not just a job for me; it was a career of passion. Therefore, serving on our school board would be no different!” Communication, Collaboration, Accessibility/Visibility, and Building Relationships are the four key components of her campaign platform.
Mrs. Bright is a 1973 honor graduate of Walterboro High School where she was selected by the faculty as one of the ten most outstanding seniors, out of a class of 324. The highlight of her high school years was being selected to sing in the 1972 South Carolina Allstate Chorus, held that year in Greenville, SC. She highly applauds the late Mrs. Dorothy Graham Buckner for that accomplishment. After high school, she matriculated at Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC where she pursued a major in English and a minor in Education. In 1977 she graduated magna cum laude from Claflin with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Further educational pursuits include study at several other well-known universities in both Alabama and South Carolina.
Mrs. Bright says “I have never regretted being a part of this honorable profession called teaching. Once a teacher—always a teacher!” In June 2018, she retired as an English teacher from the Colleton County School District where she was actively involved in several school activities over the years and served on several school, district, and state committees. Previously, she taught in the public schools of Hurtsboro and Montgomery, AL and Dorchester School District 4 in St. George, SC.
The student body of Russell High School in Hurstboro, AL unanimously dedicated their yearbook to her in 1982, one of the many highlights of her career. In 1995 Mrs. Bright received the Principal’s Service Award under the leadership of Dr. Queenie L. Crawford at Ruffin High School in Ruffin, SC. Mrs. Bright was chosen as the 1997 Teacher of the Year in the Colleton County School District. During her years as a teacher, she was a workshop presenter on numerous occasions and served as chairman of the English Department. For several years, she was an advisor for the graduation speakers at both Ruffin and Colleton County High Schools. Writing, one of her avid passions, has been a rewarding experience for her over the years. Six years ago, she became a columnist for The Press and Standard, writing a weekly article on the “Faith and Values” page. Many have been led to Christ by reading her articles. Recently, she has returned to this ministry for Jesus Christ in this community, and she is very excited about it.
Even though Mrs. Bright attends Isaiah United Methodist Church where her husband is an active member, her membership still remains at Friendship Liberty Ministries in Walterboro, SC, where her nephew, the Reverend Keith G. Stevens, is the Pastor. She received her license in the ministry under the leadership of her dear mother, the Reverend Dr. Evelyn Gelzer Stevens. At Friendship, she served in the following capacities: youth minister, corresponding secretary, treasurer, Bible study teacher, vocal soloist, and a sponsor of countless programs. Mrs. Bright has been delivering “soul-stirring” messages locally and in many other places since 1984.
Currently, Mrs. Bright is a part-time teacher at Colleton Academy for Success, the school district’s alternative program. Further, she is very active in her community. She is a member of CTS/CHS Alumni Association, Inc., where she served as the secretary for eight years; Xi Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Colleton Branch of the NAACP, Colleton County Chapter of Claflin University International Alumni Association, Colleton Section of the National Council of Negro Women, and Lowcountry Silhouettes Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. She is a member of the advisory board of Latrice D. Ferguson School of Nursing Assistants. Formerly, Mrs. Bright served as the president, vice president, and secretary of the Colleton County Education Association. She is a past board member of the South Carolina Education Association, where she was recognized and rewarded for her outstanding efforts to coordinate the Race to Read Program in the Colleton County School District several years ago.
Mrs. Bright is married to Mr. Herman G. Bright, a retired educator and veteran of the United States Army National Guard. She is the oldest daughter of the late Deacon Kalip and Rev. Dr. Evelyn Gelzer Stevens; and the devoted, loving, and praying mother of three sons, one stepdaughter, and one stepson. She is the grandmother of five grandchildren. Mrs. Bright has played a key role in organizing and coordinating family reunions for the Gelzer Family (her mother’s side) over the past several years. She firmly believes that “Family Matters” and praying together will keep a family together. Because she is an avid lover of reading and writing, one of Mrs. Bright’s goals is to one day publish a best seller, preaching Christ, which will appeal to the masses of the people. She is getting very close to completing this goal.
The public is cordially invited to attend a Meet and Greet honoring her at Neyles Community Center, 445 Featherbed Road in Walterboro, on Thursday, September 29, 2022, from 6:30 p.m-8:00 p.m. For further information, Mrs. Bright can be contacted at annaforkids22@gmail.com. Her campaign manager is Mr. Herman G. Bright.
