About Johnetta Haley
Johnetta Randolph Haley (1923-2021) is best remembered for her inspirational, motivating mentorship, and supportive spirit shown to everyone she encountered. She was a tireless fighter for civil rights and racial equity, and a staunch believer in community service.
Dr. Haley graduated from Lincoln High School in East St. Louis, Illinois. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University (Jefferson City, Mo.) in 1945 and began her educational career as the vocal and general music teacher at East St. Louis Lincoln High School. Johnetta was vocal music director and chair of the Nipher Junior High School (Kirkwood, Mo.) music department for 18 years before earning a master’s in music education from SIUE in 1972. That same year, she joined the SIUE faculty as an assistant professor in the Department of Music. She rose through the ranks to associate professor in 1978 and to professor in 1984 and served as the director of the SIUE East St. Louis Center (East St. Louis campus) for over 10 years. She was named professor emeritus by the SIUE Department of Music upon her retirement in 1993. In recognition of her work at SIUE and her many contributions to the East St. Louis community, SIUE named a scholarship program in her honor. Established in 1994, the Johnetta Haley Scholarship supports the enrollment of students who are underrepresented in their anticipated fields of study. Dr. Haley was also honored with the SIUE Distinguished Service Award in 2017.
Dr. Haley’s dedication to community service reached beyond SIUE. She was a proud 75-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a platinum member of The Links, Inc., and past president of the St. Louis Chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc. She was also the first female president for the Board of Trustees for Lincoln University. Her extensive service through these organizations and many others earned her numerous awards and recognitions. Most recently, she was honored with the NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award (2019), the Arts and Education Council’s Lifetime Achievement in Arts Award (2018), and the Leadership Award from the St. Louis Community Empowerment Foundation (2010). Check out this press release for more information about Johnetta Haley's lasting legacy of service and leadership.
