THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 8, 1995 TAG: 9510060202
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
The first time Bertha Escoffery set foot on African soil, she felt a strong sense of belonging.
``Just being on the continent where my people came from, I felt - my gosh - there's some kinship here,'' she said. ``It was a reuniting with a kindred people that I never knew.''
Escoffery, a teacher of English and director of International Studies and Programs at Norfolk State University, attended a U.S.-African Cities Conference in Senegal, West Africa, and visited the University of Dakar.
``It was my first trip to Africa,'' she said, ``but it won't be my last.''
Escoffery acts as a mentor to students who come to Norfolk State on fellowships from the South African Black University Faculty Enhancement Skills Program, sponsored by the African American Institute and the South African government.
``We have an agreement with the University of Dakar for a student-teacher exchange,'' Escoffery said. ``It's really a learning experience for me. Their culture is so different from ours.''
She taught in Norfolk public schools for 10 years and at Tidewater Community College for 12 years before taking a leave of absence to earn a doctoral degree in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Full name: Bertha Taylor Escoffery
Hometown: Norfolk
Fond childhood memories: ``Playing with my brothers and sisters, playing checkers and dominoes with my father and going to Sunday school.''
Spouse: Aubrey S. Escoffery
Children: A daughter, Phyllis
Occupation: Director of the International Associate Studies Program and associate professor at Norfolk State University
Hobbies: ``Reading, traveling, meeting new people, working with young adults, doing volunteer work, creative writing, dancing and entertaining at my house, especially my students.''
Last book read: ``Long Distance Life''
Favorite song: ``Wind Beneath My Wings''
Favorite movie: `` `Malcolm X' - I've probably seen it 10 times in the last 1 1/2 years.''
Can't resist: ``When I'm out of town, I can't resist shopping, especially for shoes.''
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``I would do one thing differently: I would have gotten my doctoral degree much earlier.''
Chesapeake restaurant: Locks Pointe Restaurant at Great Bridge
Favorite way to spend a day off: ``Spending time with my husband, relaxing at home, finding time to spend with my daughter and listening to music.''
Pet peeve: ``People who promise to do something and then fail to follow through with it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Bertha Escoffery
by CNB