Barbara Williams Hickman – A True Trailblazer

Barbara Williams Hickman moved to Beloit with her family when she was 9 years old, beginning her education at Parker Elementary School. She graduated from Beloit Memorial High School in 1956. 

Pursuing her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher, Barbara enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. In 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree, Barbara became the first African American female to graduate from UW-Stevens Point. 

Barbara returned to her hometown of Beloit and began her career in 1960 as a third-grade teacher at Parker Elementary School, the same school she attended as a young girl. She taught at Strong, Merrill and Todd elementary schools before becoming director of Title 1 programs for the district from 1968-1975. 

Seeking to further her career as an educator, Mrs. Hickman enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She attained her Master of Science in Teaching in 1976. In 1975, Mrs. Hickman became the first African American principal for the School District of Beloit. From 1975-2002 she served as principal at Merrill, Burdge, Converse and Waterman elementary schools.

Mrs. Hickman held the distinct honor of having taught, supervised, or was an administrator in every school in the district except two before retiring from the Beloit Public School district in 2002. Retirement didn’t last long for Barbara. In the fall of 2004 she was contacted by the Superintendent of the School District of Beloit to work in the central office part-time for one year. Barbara worked for several years beyond that one year as Administrator of Equity and Human Resources. 

Mrs. Barbara Hickman was inducted into the Beloit Memorial High School Hall of Fame in 2005. This award was established to recognize a BMHS graduate who has made significant contributions to their profession and community. 

In 2014, Beloit’s new Fran Fruzen Intermediate School named their fine arts wing The Hickman Fine Arts Center, honoring Barbara.

Barbara Hickman was inducted into the Beloit Historical Society’s Hall of Fame on Oct. 21, 2018. She dedicated almost 60 years of her academic career teaching and serving in administrative capacities in the School District of Beloit.

Well done Mrs. Hickman, well done!