Featured

Leader of Historic S.F. State University Strike, Jerry Varnado

Jerry Wayne Varnado, who passed away on Sept. 8, 2021, was a leader of the most successful and long-lasting student strike in the history of U.S. education.

Published

3 years ago

September 26, 2021

Christy Price

Caption: Jerry Wayne Varnado (center) with his wife, Marilyn, and his son Jerry R.H. Varnado at the 2011 SF State College of Ethnic Studies Anniversary.

Special to the Post

Jerry Wayne Varnado, who passed away on Sept. 8, 2021, was a leader of the most successful and long-lasting student strike in the history of U.S. education.

He was a founder of the first Black Student Union in the country and later became a practicing attorney.

Born on July 7, 1944, in Jackson, Miss., Varnado was the first of nine children born to John Otis and Lula Mae Varnado. Jerry graduated from Jim Hill High School in 1962.

He was determined to leave the South and aspired to go to school in California. He joined the Air Force and upon discharge, he used his veteran benefits to go to college.

He moved to San Francisco and lived with his aunt, within walking distance of San Francisco State University (SFSU). He was admitted to SF State in 1966 and initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc in 1967. His fraternity brothers recognized his leadership potential and immediately elected him chapter president.

Varnado earned a B.A. in economics in 1969 and later a law degree from UC Hastings College of the Law.

As a student at S.F. State, he was involved with the Negro Students Association and co-founded the Black Student Union (BSU). In 1968, he and fellow BSU leaders established a coalition with the Third World Liberation Front, other students, faculty, and community members and organized the longest student strike in the history of the nation to protest the lack of access, misrepresentation, and the overall neglect of indigenous peoples and people of color within the university’s curriculum and programs.

The strikers’ demands reflected a respect for the diverse intellectual traditions and cultural expressions of scholars, activists, and artists of color and indigenous people throughout the country.

The strike fought for tenure for minority instructors, Dr. Nathan Hare and open enrollment for African American students, including actors Danny Glover and Clarence Williams III.

Historically, SFSU, as a 4-year non HBCU, admitted more African American freshmen in the fall of 1969 than any other U.S. university. The activism and sacrifices of Varnado and other strikers were the impetus for the founding of the College of Ethnic Studies with departments in Africana Studies (formerly Black Studies), American Indian Studies, Asian American Studies, and Latina/o Studies (formerly La Raza Studies) in 1969.

Their efforts enabled future generations of students at SFSU to learn about the histories, cultures, and intellectual traditions of communities of color and indigenous peoples in the U.S. in the first-person and also to practice theories of resistance and liberation to eliminate racism and other forms of oppression.

Varnado lived a life of leadership, mentorship, and support to his community, family, and friends.

After completing his studies at SFSU and his law degree, he practiced law in the San Francisco Bay Area. He married the love of his life, Marilyn D. Jones in 1980, who he met at SFSU but later reunited in 1976.

Jerry and Marilyn had two sons: Jerry R.H. Varnado and Charles C. Varnado.

Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, he could not gather with friends and family, and this brought him more despair than being ill.

Preceding him in death were his father and mother John Otis and Lula Mae Varnado; brother, John Otis Varnado Jr.; and sisters, State Senator Alice Varnado Harden (Dennis) and Mildred L. Robinson (Willie).

He leaves to cherish his memory his five sisters Wilma G. Butler (Alex), Dr. Phillis Varnado, Shirley Varnado, Sharron Porter (Andrew) and Dr Jacqueline Jackson (Wilton) along with a myriad of uncles, aunts, cousins, and dear friends,

Donations Services will be held on October 8 and attendance will be limited to family and close friends due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Donations may be made with a check made payable to the “University Corporation, San Francisco” with “Jerry Varnado Scholarship Donation” noted on the memo line. Please mail donations to:

Office of University Development
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Ave., ADM 153
San Francisco, CA 94132

The San Francisco Post’s coverage of local news in San Francisco County is supported by the Ethnic Media Sustainability Initiative, a program created by California Black Media and Ethnic Media Services to support community newspapers across California.

Christy Price

Posts by Christy Price

Up Next

Poet James Cagney on Closure, Reckoning’s Limits, and What’s Next

Don't Miss

U.S. Business Leaders Step Up to Fight Inequities in the South

Christy Price

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

Published

21 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

‘Donald Trump Is Not a God:’ Rep. Bennie Thompson Blasts Trump’s Call to Jail Him

“Donald Trump is not a god,” U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Congressman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. Courtesy photo.

By Post Staff

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said he not intimidated by President-elect Donald Trump, who, during an interview on “Meet the Press,” called for the congressman to be jailed for his role as chairman of the special congressional committee investigating Trump’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021, mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“Donald Trump is not a god,” Thompson told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

“He can’t prove it, nor has there been any other proof offered, which tells me that he really doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” said the 76-year-old lawmaker, who maintained that he and the bipartisan Jan. 6 Select Committee – which referred Trump for criminal prosecution – were exercising their constitutional and legislative duties.

“When someone disagrees with you, that doesn’t make it illegal; that doesn’t even make it wrong,” Thompson said, “The greatness of this country is that everyone can have their own opinion about any subject, and so for an incoming president who disagrees with the work of Congress to say ‘because I disagree, I want them jailed,’ is absolutely unbelievable.”

When asked by The Grio if he is concerned about his physical safety amid continued public ridicule from Trump, whose supporters have already proven to be violent, Thompson said, “I think every member of Congress here has to have some degree of concern, because you just never know.”

This story is based on a report from The Grio.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org