Pamela Bennett-Bryant, retired Philadelphia schoolteacher and principal, has died at 75
She taught preschool, elementary, and middle school students for years, and became assistant principal at Northeast High School and principal at Lamberton High School.
Pamela Bennett-Bryant, 75, formerly of Philadelphia, retired schoolteacher and principal, Catholic lay Eucharistic minister, teachers union leader, and world traveler, died Wednesday, May 6, of age-associated decline at the Residences at Thomas Circle in Washington, D.C.
Mrs. Bennett-Bryant grew up in West Philadelphia, earned a master’s degree in education, and worked for the School District of Philadelphia as a teacher and principal from 1972 to her retirement in 2004. She started as a preschool teacher in the district’s Head Start program, went on to instruct elementary and middle school students at several schools, and became assistant principal at Northeast High School and principal at Lamberton High School.
In its 2004 Report Card on the Schools, The Inquirer noted that Mrs. Bennett-Bryant helped Lamberton gain funding to partner with Eastern University in offering college-level courses to high school students. She was engaging in the classroom, especially interested in history and reading, and said she drew inspiration from former school superintendent Constance Clayton.
“Teaching was her greatest love and her passion,” said her daughter, Melissa. “She was always learning. She was always teaching.”
Mrs. Bennett-Bryant earned a bachelor’s degree cum laude in sociology and urban studies at the University of Pennsylvania in 1972, her master’s degree from the Philadelphia branch of Antioch University, and school administration credentials from Cheyney and St. Joseph’s Universities. She was an expert on labor law and served for years as a building representative, executive board member, and labor contract negotiator for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers union.
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She took African American archaeology doctoral classes at Harvard University and belonged to the National Association of Professional Women, and the Philadelphia Educators Roundtable. “She believed every child deserved a good education regardless of circumstance,” her daughter said. “She loved seeing others learn.”
At church, Mrs. Bennett-Bryant was a lector and Catholic lay Eucharistic minister. She assisted the priests during Communion at church and offered it to those at home and elsewhere who were unable to attend.
As onetime public relations officer for the Philadelphia chapter of the Continental Societies Inc., she organized scholarship fundraising events and other programs for underserved children and young adults. She spoke French, visited all seven continents, researched her genealogy to slavery, and traveled the Underground Railroad from North Carolina to Nova Scotia.
“She was passionate, intense, and intentional,” her daughter said. “She impacted thousands.”
Pamela Diane Bennett was born July 15, 1950, at Pennsylvania Hospital. She grew up with three brothers and a sister, and practiced ballet for eight years with dance stars Marion Cuyjet and Judith Jamison.
She performed in stage productions and was a member of nearly a dozen extracurricular clubs at West Philadelphia Catholic Girls’ High School. She married Toby Bryant, and they had a daughter, Melissa. They divorced later.
Mrs. Bennett-Bryant was active with the Philadelphia chapter of Chums Inc. and the Phi Delta Kappa Inc. sorority. She supported the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the African American Museum, the Philadelphia Zoo, and the National Geographic Society.
She hosted book clubs, loved science fiction, and enjoyed African American literature and poetry. She was a Star Trek fan and attended at least one Trekkie convention.
She liked line dancing and cats, and cooked up great Thanksgiving turkeys and other dishes. She went to church at St. Francis De Sales, St. Carthage, St. Cyprians, and St. Madeleine Sophie in Philadelphia, and St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington.
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Before moving to Washington in 2019, Mrs. Bennett-Bryant lived in West Oak Lane, Queen Village, and East Falls. “She had a way of making people feel welcomed, cared for, and at home,” a niece said in an online tribute. “Her love will always stay with us.”
Her daughter said. “Everything I am I owe to her.”
In addition to her daughter, sister, brothers, and former husband, Mrs. Bennett-Bryant is survived by other relatives.
Services were held Friday.
