Biography of

Dr. Elnora Palmer Hamb

 

 

Elnora Palmer Hamb was born in Haywood County, Brownsville, Tennessee to William and Selena Palmer and reared in Ripley, Tennessee. She had four sisters and five brothers. She is the wife of Raymond Hamb, Sr. and they have two children, Raymond Jr. (deceased 2004) and Angela F. Hamb. She is the proud grandmother of Shelbi, Carlton and Raymond III. She is a member of the Third Episcopal District where Bishop Paul A. Stewart is the Presiding Prelate, and a faithful and active member of the St. Paul CME Church in Chicago where the Rev. Dr. Patrick J. Key is the pastor.  She has served as Vice Chairperson of Stewart Board I; Immediate Past President Women’s Missionary Society; Sunday School Teacher (40 years); member of Sanctuary Choir; Lay Council; and Board of Christian Education and Director of the One Church One School Partnership Program.

 

Dr. Hamb was educated in the Public Schools of Ripley Tennessee. Dr. Hamb received a B. S. Degree from Lane College, Jackson, Tennessee in 1962; Master of Librarianship in 1970 from Chicago State University; and extensive training beyond her master and hour toward a Doctorate Degree at Nova University; received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Texas College, Tyler, Texas May 1, 2004. She is a retired Media Specialist with the Chicago Board of Education.

 

Dr. Hamb is an active leader of the Connectional Church in many areas including the Women’s Missionary Council. Delegate to the last six General Conferences and last five Quadrennial Assemblies of the Women’s Missionary Council CME Church. She is the Past President of the Women’s Missionary Society at the Local and Southeast Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin Region Conference. During the Women’s Missionary Council Quadrennial Assembly, August 1, 2003 in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Hamb was elected the 9^th President of the Women’s Missionary Council.

 

She is affiliated with the Lane College National Alumni Association Great Lakes Region Vice president; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Executive Board World Federation Methodist Uniting Church Women; Church Women United – Greater Chicago Area, Vice President; Chicago Inter-Alumni Council, Past Vice President; Serve on the Board of Trustee for Lane College, Miles College and Phillips School of Theology; Executive Board National Council of Negro Women Inc.; Executive Committee World Methodist Council; National Committee Church World Services, and many other organizations. Elected the Vice President of the North America World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women for 2006-2011.

 

Dr. Hamb has received recognition for her work receiving many honors and citations: The most recent are: One Church One School Life Time Achievement Award October 19, 2006;  Named Duchess of Paducah, city of Paducah, Kentucky- June 11, 2006; Alben Barkley Distinguished Citizen Award – McCracken County, Kentucky- June 11, 2006;  Certificate of welcome City of Los Angeles- Mayor Antonio R. Villarogosa March 2006;  Certificate of Recognition - Los Angeles- Jan Perry- Councilwoman 9^th District- March 2006,  The County of Los Angeles- Yvonne B. Burke, Supervisor. Second District March, 2006;  Honorary Citizen of Huntsville, Alabama and given the Key to the City of Huntsville, Al March 9, 2006;  Key to the City of  Dallas, Texas March 5, 2004;  Honorary Doctorate Degree, Texas College May 1, 2004, Tyler, Texas; Distinguish Leadership Award from the Metropolitan Christian Council – Detroit-Windsor February 24, 2005; Certificate Congressional Award- Debbie Stabenow- US Senator State of Michigan Feb. 2005;   Proclamation from Senator John Conyers, US House of Representatives  from the State if Michigan- February 2005;State of Michigan;  Special Leadership Award – Martha G. Scott, State Senator – Second District, February 2005;  Special Celebration Award from the City of Detroit- Kwame Kilpatrick, Mayor;  Elnora P. Hamb Day February 2005- City of Flint, Michigan –Office if the Mayor, Donald J. Williams, Mayor;  Distinguish Achievement Award – Sumpter Township- Johnny Pawter, February 2005;  Resolution Certificated of Leadership – Mayor Scott L. King, Mayor Gary, Indiana February 2005;  Certificate of Leadership, Alan R. Lambert, Mayor of City of Romulus, Michigan- February 2005; Proclamation- Elnora P. Hamb Day February 21, 2005 – Mayor Tony Benavide, Lansing, Michigan;  City of Pontiac Mayoral Proclamation Mayor Willie Payne, February 2005;  Leadership Tribute – Mayor Brenda L. Lawrence, City of Southfield, Michigan –February 2005;  Detroit City Council Testimonial Resolution, February 2005;   Leadership Award – Tribute Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority– Great Lakes Cluster Corridor, Joanne Battles, February 26. 2005;  listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers 1992;  2002 Bridging the Gap Award UNCF;  2004 Valiant Woman Award –Church Women United.

 

Elnora has served CWUGC as Forum Chairperson, May Friendship Chairperson, 2002; 2004, Illinois State Denominational Representative.  

 

World traveler: Her love for the mission work has extended to, Singapore, Brazil, England, Africa, and Paris, France, Caribbean and Seoul, Korea.