Ada Lawrence is the third generation of a pioneering African-American Erie family. Her grandmother, Emma Gertrude Lawrence, owned Lawrence Cleaning and Dyeing, and was the first black business woman in the city. Her father, Earl Lawrence, taught thousands of aspiring musicians at schools in Fairview, Summit, and Girard, as well as in his own studio and at the Erie Conservatory of Music.
Ms. Lawrence was born in Erie on October 21, 1920. She attended Burns Elementary and Gridley Junior High School before graduating from Strong Vincent High School in 1939, and then Cheyney State Teachers College in 1943, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. She received her Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Gannon University. She also received an Exceptional Education Certificate from Penn State University.
Ada Lawrence made it her life's mission to educate children, and was hired as a full-time teacher on September 3, 1946. Though she was not the first African-American hired by the Erie School District, she was the first to receive public recognition. She began her 36 year career at McKinley Elementary School at a salary of $1,600 per year. A substitute teacher in the orthogenic department of the Erie School District at the end of World War II, she taught at Burton, McKinley, and Jones Elementary schools, and was associated with Dr. Gertrude Barber. Ms. Lawrence also taught at Penn and Wayne schools before retiring in 1982.
She served on many boards and was active in her church, the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, where she served in many church capacities, specifically the Altar Guild, having been baptized there at the age of six. She was also a member of the Association of University Women (AAUW) and the Delta Kappa. She was one of the original Incorporators of the Bayfront NATO — Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, and was a member of the Board of the Dr. Gertude Barber Center. She also served many years with the Erie Chapter of the NAACP and the Harry T. Burleigh Society and on numerous other Boards and Commissions.
Ms. Lawrence was one of the founding members of the Poisettes Bowling Club and the Hi-Lites Club. Ms. Lawrence enjoyed playing her viola and listening to music and bowling with her many friends of the Poisettes Bowling Club. She was an avid and accomplished bowler, having won many trophies for her prowess. When at home she enjoyed the company and companionship of her cats.
In October 3, 2007, Erie’s City Council honored Ada Lawrence with a Proclamation.
In 2013 West Front Street was renamed, honoring her and her family, and designated as Lawrence Family Way.
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