"Dear Jean and Family, My heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family as we all will miss this very special lady. Betty was like a spunky godmother to me, taking and shaking me under her wing as I entered Central as a Junior. She inspired me with her work ethic, determination, and her compassion for others. She was instrumental in helping carve major roads in my life for which I am forever blessed and appreciative. Eternally grateful, Karen class of "88"
In loving memory of
Betty Harriet Fairfax
Educator, Philanthropist, Community leader, July 31, 1918 - November 7, 2010, Betty Harriet Fairfax was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Dan and Inez Wood Fairfax, who were college graduates with a strong commitment to promote and provide higher education for all children and not only for their own. Betty graduated from Cleveland's Glenville High School where she was active in sports and considered preparing for the Olympics. She attended Washburn College in Topeka, Kansas for her first year in college and later received her Bachelor of Science degree from Kent State University in Ohio in 1940 and her MS in education from Western Reserve (now Case Western University) in Cleveland in 1944. She was a post-graduate student at Teachers College in New York and continued to be a very active alumna and donor to that school. Included in her almost 70 years in education, were 10 years in the Cleveland Public Schools (1940-1950) as a teacher and counselor, with some years as a coach. In 1950, Betty was recruited by the Phoenix Union High School District to teach at Carver High School, a segregated high school. When the school district was desegregated, she was among the first Black teachers at Phoenix Union High School in 1955. In 1969, she was hired as a school counselor at Central High School, and was Dean of Students from 1991 until her retirement in 2006. With her sister Jean, Betty established the Dan and Inez Wood Fairfax Fund at southern Education Foundation and endowed the Betty H. Fairfax Fund for Educational Equity at the Arizona Community Foundation. They created a fund to provide scholarships for the 1987 graduates of the Bethune Elementary School in Phoenix. They also endowed a fund at the Cleveland Foundation in support of public education. At Kent State University, they endowed the Medallion Scholarship Fund for Black students from Cleveland who are committed to careers in public education. They established at Teachers College the Fairfax Fund for Professional Development. Their most recently established fund will reward students from the class of 2011 at the Betty H. Fairfax High School who successfully earn college degrees. Throughout her life, Betty has been highly respected for her service on community boards: Children's Action Alliance, Genesis, Teach For America, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, and others. Betty served as a consultant to the Del Webb School of Construction at the Arizona State University and worked for many years at the Church of the Beatitudes' Center for Developing Adult Resources (now DUET). She served as a volunteer for many years on the American Cancer Society "Reach to Recovery" Program. Among her many awards she was one of the twelve who received the 1994 Hon Kachina-12 Who Care Award. In 1998, she received the Calvin C. Goode City of Phoenix Achievement Award, The Children's Action Alliance gave her the Horace Steele Child Advocacy Award. In 2001 the YWCA in Maricopa County honored Betty with the Tribute to Women Award for her sixty years as an educator. In 2007, Governor Janet Napolitano honored Betty with a State of Arizona Proclamation recognizing Betty's services to the state. In September 2003, Betty received the Jewell Award that acknowledged the contribution of a woman to the betterment of our community. Betty was also selected as one of Arizona Culture Keepers in 2004 for her enduring passion, philanthropy and leadership. In 2007, the Phoenix Unified School District named its newest high school the Betty H. Fairfax High School in Laveen, thus significantly honoring Betty as one of its unsung heroes. Her burial will be private, but a public memorial service to celebrate her extraordinary life will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to donate to the Betty Fairfax Fund at the Arizona Community Foundation, which was created to reward the students who graduate in 2011 from Fairfax High and who go on to succeed in college. Betty H. Fairfax is survived by her beloved sister Jean E. Fairfax, many colleagues in civil rights and education and former students. Please visit www.hansenmortuary.com to send online condolences.
Tributes
"Thank you for helping and mentoring my students over the years and for your kindness after the accident. Central High will never be the same without you there----Much Love, Dianne Goldwater"
"I was a former employee of Phoenix Union HSD, a member of the Church of the Beatitudes, and a close neighbor of Betty Fairfax and her sister, I have countless fond memories of Betty’s contributions especially to the students. She was dedicated to enriching the lives of countless young people by her unique ways of motivating them to do their very best -- then do even better. She set an excellent example for everyone who came in contact with her. No doubt her positive influence will be multiplied many times by those she encouraged."
"I was privileged to interview Betty on December 7, 2000, for her YWCA tribute video. She was such a jewel, very down-to-earth and devoted to promoting education for all. Our community has lost a wonderful individual. To Jean, whom I also have interviewed: Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your very special sister."
"Dear Jean, Your sister will be greatly missed. You and Betty impacted many lives and have definitely made a difference in the world. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Sincerely, Larry and Sally Kusche"
"Miss Fairfax was my guidance counselor from 1970-1973 and was a profound influence on my life. I’m proud to have known her and admire her accomplishments."