In an emotional nod to a local educational hero, the streets of Fort Worth now bear the name of Shirley Knox Benton, a former educator who dedicated her life to shaping young minds. According to the City of Fort Worth's official announcement, the city honored her impact on October 2 by installing two street sign toppers: one at Fitzhugh Avenue and Robert Hughes Street, and another adjoining Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, where Benton broke barriers as its first Black female principal.
Shirley Benton, remembered for her faith-based leadership and iconic sense of style, is celebrated for transforming Dunbar High with her relentless commitment to student growth and her belief in possibility, embodied in her personal mantra, "With God, all things are possible. It can be done." Attendees of the unveiling ceremony included city officials, community leaders, and individuals whose lives were touched by Benton's work. Her influence reached far beyond the confines of the school hallways, speaking to the power of the nurturing presence she provided through her many years as an educator in the Fort Worth Independent School District.
The city acknowledged key figures in facilitating this tribute, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the Tarrant County College Opportunity Center, alongside Officers Gwen Morrison and Casey Watkins. The City of Fort Worth's report conveyed gratitude to current Dunbar High Principal Justin Edwards and band director David Johnson, who both played integral roles in making the event a lasting memory for the community.
