Thursday, February 8, 2024
One of the wonderfully unique things about the Conservancy’s Archive is how locally complete its history is, from a house call in 1910 to the triumphs of a local legend like Grace Kelly. We aim to capture the subtle narratives of as many individuals as possible, encompassing the experiences of the local Black community. Every person deserves to have their life immortalized adequately for future generations.
We at the Conservancy ask that anyone in the Chestnut Hill community with old photographs, newspapers, letters, and ephemera associated with the Black community consider adding them to the Conservancy’s archives. The existing archive, however, does contain a surprising amount of information.
And this week, in celebration of Black History Month, the Conservancy introduces a part of that archive with local basketball legend Vincene “Vinnie” Morris, a 1994 Philadelphia University Athletic Hall of Fame inductee who was a three-time All-America selection while playing for Philadelphia “Textile” University’s women’s basketball team, now the Jefferson University Rams.
Morris, named All-American from 1984-1986, holds the single-season rebound record with 374 in 1983-84. She scored a total of 2,180 points, making her the second-highest scorer in the school’s history and fourth all-time with 148 blocked shots and 209 steals.
After she graduated, Morris became a Philadelphia Police officer, made a career on the force, and eventually retired with the rank of sergeant. As a certified field training officer, she taught and supervised police personnel on community policing and conflict resolution.
Morris concluded her policing career as a supervisor of the 23 Police Athletic League (PAL) centers throughout Philadelphia. These centers provided a safe haven for children in high-crime areas with structured programming, educational assistance, and athletic experiences.
Later, Morris relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she became a successful real estate broker. She focuses on helping people from underrepresented communities buy, sell, and rent properties throughout North and South Carolina.
Although she is no longer a Philadelphia resident, Morris remains a devoted Eagles fan and proudly represents her Philly pride.
For further information on donating objects to our collections, please contact Alex Bartlett at alex@chconservancy.org.