Dr. Bessie Ann Stockard Ceremonial Recognition Resolution of 2026

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Chairman Phil Mendelson

A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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To recognize, celebrate, and acknowledge the professional achievements of Dr. Bessie Ann
Stockard on the occasion of her retirement from the University of the District of
Columbia (UDC).

WHEREAS, Dr. Bessie Ann Stockard grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, the youngest child
of Andy R. Stockard, a custodian, and Bessie Mae, a teacher;
WHEREAS, during her high school years, Dr. Stockard worked as a playground leader in
a Nashville park, where she discovered paddle tennis, a version of tennis using a lower net, smaller
court and solid paddles. Dr. Stockard became such a good paddle tennis player that her reputation
grew and challengers came from all over Nashville to try to beat her;
WHEREAS, Dr. Stockard’s formal athletic career began with high school basketball. She
worked diligently to perfect her skills and ultimately earned a full four-year basketball scholarship
to Tuskegee University;
WHEREAS, Dr. Stockard came to the District of Columbia after being hired by the
newly created Federal City College to coach cheerleaders and majorettes;
WHEREAS, in the fall of 1969, Dr. Stockard created the Federal City Pantherettes
women's basketball team with no funding, gymnasium, or uniforms. The players used donated
shirts and practiced in local high school gyms. Initially, the Pantherettes were unable to find
college teams willing to play against them, so they played against mostly amateur league teams;
WHEREAS, Dr. Stockard played in the American Tennis Association (ATA) for over a
decade, winning 12 ATA national titles. She also played in the professional Virginia Slims
Circuit from 1971 to 1974 and was its only African-American player at the time;
WHEREAS, Dr. Stockard served as an assistant coach on the United States women's
basketball team during the 1976 Summer Olympics. She then coached at American University for

two year s, while still teaching at the University of the District of Columbia -- Federal City
College’s successor institution;
WHEREAS, Dr. Stockard was rehired as women’s basketball coach in 1979 at UDC. She
posted a 21-5 and 19 –6 record over the next two seasons . A conflict with an athletics director
resulted in her firing two years later, but Dr. Stockard sued, claiming sex discrimination and false
accusations of misappropriation of funds. She was reinstated by court order in October 1982;
WHEREAS, Dr. Stockard has been inducted into the Tuskegee University Athletic Hall
of Fame (1993), the Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame (2012), the Black Tennis Hall of Fame
(2013), and the University of the District of Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame (2016);
WHEREAS, until her retirement, Dr. Stockard continued to work as a tenured Associate
Professor of Health Science at UDC; and
WHEREAS, demonstrating her commitment to both athletic and academic excellence,
Dr. Stockard achieved her life-long dream by earning her doctorate in Developmental Education
from Grambling State University in 2023 at the age of 90.
RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the "Dr. Bessie Ann Stockard Ceremonial Recognition Resolution of
2026”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia salutes Dr. Bessie Ann Stockard for her
trailblazing efforts in athletics and academia in the District of Columbia and congratulates her on
her retirement. The Council also commends and thanks Dr. Stockard for her years of service at
University of the District of Columbia , which have benefited and inspired countless students –
particularly the young women whom she coached and mentored.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.