About Us
The William H. Douglas Foundation assists in moving the needle toward higher enrollment, retention, and graduation rates for students in pursuit of their post-secondary educational and career goals.
Advocates are highly motivated, and most are graduates of our Academy. They have firsthand knowledge of the hard work that goes into guiding a successful scholar. In their own right, they are accomplished individuals committed to making a difference for our scholars and the communities where they live.
WHD's success is measured by the success of our students!
WHO WAS WILLIAM H. DOUGLAS?
By Pennie Douglas, Daughter and Executive Director
The life accomplishments of Mr. William H. Douglas, Jr. (July 24, 1924 - February 20, 1995) epitomize the spirit and heart of this Foundation. Education, determination, and perseverance were key to his success and ours.
W.H. Douglas, Jr. was born in Lexington, Tennessee. He grew up on the family farm inherited from his grandfather, Dr. Louis S. Douglas of Henderson County. From early childhood, he worked long hours in the cotton fields. With each cotton flower he picked, he grew strong in character and strength. He developed a strong Christian belief of kindness and caring for others. After completing ninth grade at Montgomery High School in Lexington, W.H. was obligated to return to the fields and work full-time.
In early spring 1943, at the age of 19, W.H. enlisted in the United States Army. During his military career, he received numerous medals. In April 1946, with an honorable discharge in hand, W.H. left the Army. He married and settled in South Los Angeles, California. With a family to support, he returned to school and received his GED. Subsequently, he took classes in Mechanical Drawing and Tool Design from Los Angeles Trade Technical College.
W.H. found employment at North American Rockwell as a janitor. He worked hard and was promoted to machine operator. Over the years, he moved up in the ranks to finally become an aerospace engineer. In 1981, he was assigned to Rockwell's Space Division. Three months later, the Space Shuttle Columbia took flight. He retired in 1983 and moved back to Tennessee before going to his final home in 1995.
W.H. valued education and worked hard to send me to schools that were challenging, no matter how far away they were from home. He waited long hours in the car so I could participate in speech contests across Southern California, while listening to ball games on his small transistor radio.
In the summer of 1967, we drove cross-country from California to Tennessee, touring all the states in between. I remember one night traveling on a dark, long stretch of highway and gazing out of the car's rear window. I saw nothing but stars filling every inch of the sky. "Look at all those stars!" I said. He replied, “That’s just about how many opportunities life gives us. All we have to do is reach for them.”
To honor his legacy, the William H. Douglas Foundation was created to help young people reach for their own stars of opportunity.
