Margaret and Cato Roach Collection, Circa 1949-1997
Collection context
Summary
- Extent:
- 17 Hollinger Boxes
- 6 Books
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
Margaret and Cato Roach Papers (AARLCC-2003.18), AARLCC Special Collections, Broward County Libraries.
Background
- Scope and content:
The Margaret and Cato Roach Collection includes directories, awards, books,correspondence, memorandums, and newspaper clippings that document the personal and professional lives of Broward County activists and educators Margaret Lattimore Blake Roach and Cato Roach.
- Biographical / historical:
Margaret Latimore Blake Roach was born on October 30, 1910 in Summerville, Georgia and was raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee as well as Atlanta, Georgia. Margaret was an educator, community activist and volunteer in Broward County, Florida. A graduate of Clark Atlanta University, she began her teaching career in the 1930s in Tampa, Florida. Widowed from her first husband, Tampa high school Principal Robert Blake in 1954, Mrs. Roach later taught at Dillard High School in the 1950s. She then met widower Cato Roach Jr., who was then-president of the Florida State Teachers Association. The two married in 1962. During her career, Margaret was the founding president of Broward County's Urban League and she was the first woman and African-American on the Broward Community College's Board of Trustees. She was also a charter member of the Florida Council on Human Relations, and the Fort Lauderdale chapter of the Links, Inc. She was also a former board member of the local National Conference of Christians and Jews, a former secretary of the United Way, and a trustee at Clark Atlanta University, her alma mater. Margaret Blake Roach died on July 16, 1999 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Cato Roach Jr. was born on January 27, 1917 in Metcalfe, Washington County, Mississippi. Roach was an accomplished teacher, community activist and volunteer. He graduated from Knoxville College in 1938 and began a lifelong teaching career. In 1946 he came to Broward County, Florida and taught math, science and coached basketball as well as football at Dillard High School, at the time the only four-year black high school in the county. Roach helped to implement the Head Start program, served as the first black county-level supervisor of elementary education, was president of the American Lung and the Mental Health associations of Broward County, and served on Fort Lauderdale's Bi-racial Committee as well as the county's Juvenile Court Advisory Board. Roach married Margaret Lattimore Blake in 1962. Cato Roach Jr. died on March 30, 2000.
- Acquisition information:
- Harold L. Roach donated the materials to AARLCC Special Collections in memory of his parents, Cato and Margaret Roach, on May 15, 2000 (Accession AARLCC-2000.2).
- Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into four series: Series I. Correspondence, Series II. Professional Papers, Series III. Awards, Series IV. Personal Papers, and Series V. Printed Materials.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
The Margaret Lattimore Blake Roach and Cato Roach Jr. papers are open for research.
- Preferred citation:
Margaret and Cato Roach Papers (AARLCC-2003.18), AARLCC Special Collections, Broward County Libraries.
- Location of this collection:
-
African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library2650 Sistrunk BoulevardFort LauderdaleFL33311USA
