Wilda Stephenson has been an influential figure in Omaha for many years. She was one of the first African American teachers at Central, instructing in the business department. She left Central to become an assistant professor at UNO and then director of UNO’s Goodrich Program for nontraditional students. The Wilda Stephenson Internship Program was established ten years ago at UNO to provide students leadership training with female administrators. Serving the Presbyterian Chruch, Stephenson has held important local and national positions and traveled to Africa and other countries. Her local volunteer activities include work with the Great Plains Black Museum, Joslyn Art Museum, Nebraska Parliamentarians, and the League of Women Voters. Stephenson received an honarary doctorate from Midland Lutheran College in 1997 and has also been honored by the YWCA, UNL, UNO, Omaha Urban League Guild, Wesley House, and Nebraska Women of Color.
Wilda passed away in 2009 at the age of 86.