Rochelle Scott, civil-rights pioneer

AS A civil-rights activist, Rochelle E. Scott got to know many of the legends of that movement, including a young Martin Luther King Jr. when he was a student at the former Crozer Theological Seminary, in Chester.

She was among those who threw a dinner for Rosa Parks, whose arrest in 1955 after refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a bus in Montgomery, Ala., helped launch the civil-rights movement in the South.

In Philadelphia, Rochelle worked with the Rev. William H. Gray III, pastor of her church, Bright Hope Baptist, and the Rev. Paul Washington, of the Church of the Advocate, and others who were fighting for racial justice.

And she loved raising her voice in praise in the Bright Hope choir, singing her favorite hymn, "Blessed Assurance:"

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long.

Rochelle Scott, who rose rapidly through the ranks of the Philadelphia supply depots of the Departments of Defense and Navy to become a contract supervisor, died Oct. 23. She was 86 and lived in North Philadelphia.

She was so well-thought-of by the government that she was often sent to schools and seminars to study procurement procedures and contract law, enabling her to advance steadily through the ranks.

She received numerous commendations and honors for work well-done. She retired in 1987, after 37 years of government service.

Rochelle was born in Greenwood, S.C., to Roosevelt and Gussie Tolbert. The family moved to Philadelphia, then briefly lived in Lansdowne before settling in the city.

She attended Simon Gratz High School, then went to the Virginia Theological Seminary and College, in Lynchburg, Va., from which she graduated.

In 1943, she met and married Austin Broadnax, an Army sergeant who was wounded in North Africa and who later became a drummer in jazz bands. They lived in Washington, D.C., where Rochelle attended Howard University.

Moving back to Philadelphia, she attended a Philadelphia business college, graduating with honors. She went to work for the Defense Supply Agency, then on Rittenhouse Square. When that closed, she moved on to the Navy Department as a procurement supervisor.

Rochelle's marriage ended in divorce; in 1957, she married John Scott, who managed a nightclub in North Philadelphia.

She was an active member of Bright Hope Baptist from the late '40s through the '60s, serving as church secretary and a member of the usher board. In later years, she joined Zion Baptist Church in Ambler.

Rochelle was especially active with programs for young people. She started a club for teenagers called Club Promoja, which took members horseback riding and roller skating, among other activities, and a charitable club for women called Trend Setters.

In 1986 she joined Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Beta Omicron chapter.

"My mother was beautiful," said her daughter Sandra A. Broadnax. "I was in awe of her beauty and grace. She always smiled and spoke softly. Everyone loved her and came to her for advice.

"She taught my sister and me always to be pleasant and mannerly. We were the best-dressed girls in the neighborhood, and we had the best education, including private schools.

"I looked up to her. She seemed to be so perfect to me."

She also is survived by another daughter, Gail Scott-Harris; a stepson, John Franklin Scott, and three grandchildren.

Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Emmanuel Johnson Funeral Home, Chew Avenue and Hortter Street. Friends may call at 9 a.m.