A remarkable life: Brunswick resident was at the forefront of the civil rights movement

Geraldine Cook celebrating her 84th birthday.

After Brunswick County resident Geraldine Bryant Cook’s 80th birthday, she started noticing some memory issues and was eventually diagnosed with dementia.

Tera Thomas, Cook’s eldest daughter reached out to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare to see if her mom qualified for services. Due to the advanced condition of her disease, Cook was accepted and now receives care at home in Oak Island. Cook, 87, is presently cared for by her daughters Tera Thomas and Lia Roberts.

Her daughters recently shared the remarkable journey of their mother’s amazing life, including being at the forefront of the civil rights movement.

Born with a dogged determination, Cook grew up in Highland Falls, a small village in New York’s Hudson River Valley, just outside the gates of the United States Military Academy at West Point.

“Mom’s life is made up of ‘firsts,’” Thomas said.

At age 15, Cook was denied entrance into her high school drama club because of her race. Writing a letter to the NAACP for assistance, she was secured a spot at Lincoln Academy for children of African descent in Kings Mountain. She excelled in drama and academically.

Geraldine Cook age 4.

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Cook performed the lead role in the Negro Ensemble Company’s production of “The Square Peg” in New York City, and the lead in “A Raisin in the Sun” and several other community theater productions.

One of Cook’s early jobs was working as a secretary at West Point Military Academy. At the prestigious institution, she was the first African American to hold any position other than that of a kitchen worker.

As a single-mother raising two daughters, Cook was a very active member of the NAACP.

“Mom was very active in the movement,” said Roberts. “However, as a single-mom, she was careful not to get involved with efforts that might land her in jail because she had myself and Tera to care for.” She traveled throughout the South helping African Americans register to vote. During that time, she met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as attested by his framed signature in the living room.

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Geraldine Cook in the 1960s.

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Cook supported her young family working as a secretary and later as a congressional aide. Once the girls were grown and attending college, Cook seized the opportunity to attend the local community college, later graduating from Manhattanville College and Rutgers’s Law School.

Cook’s daughters credit their love of travel to their mom who often took them on adventurous trips, even though traveling had to be done on a small budget. Seeing a picture of Yellowstone Park or Mount Rushmore just didn’t do the family justice, it was so much more impressive in person, and their mom made sure they saw plenty.

Cook encouraged her daughters to seek out their own answers and walk their own path in life. She would take them to a variety of religious worship services so that they could understand the beliefs of many, and determine their own.

Even though Cook has lost most of her ability to communicate verbally, her personality still shines through, including her playful sense of humor. “We just listen to the blues, dance, and laugh!” said Thomas. “Mom loves to dance!”

Geraldine Cook at home with her daughters, Tera Thomas (left) and Lia Roberts.

They also credit their mom with instilling in them the importance of an education. Thomas and Roberts are both retired educators and life-long learners. There was never a question as to whether they would attend college. “It was just a given,” Roberts said.

Cook is an avid collector of black art, folk art and memorabilia as a way of ensuring important history is preserved.

Cook spent time in the inner circle of many entertainers and sports figures. One of Cook’s keepsakes is a cherished photo of the great boxer Muhammad Ali with her then young grandson, which is proudly displayed. Cook also swears that comedian Richard Pryor stole one of her jokes.

Although Roberts lives in California, she travels back and forth to provide great support to her sister and mom.

Five generations of the Cook family.

While they admit caregiving has its challenges, taking care of their mom is extremely rewarding, said Thomas and Roberts.

“She’s such a joy, and we are honored to provide her care at home. There is nothing that we are doing for her now that she didn’t do or wouldn’t do for us.” said Thomas.

Contact Cheryl Whitaker at 910-343-2004 or Cheryl.Whitaker@StarNewsOnline.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Daughters tell story of Brunswick resident at forefront of civil rights