Zoraina M. James

Zoraina M James was born in Texas to Jesse and Cartie James in 1939. As a child, she was a force to be reckoned with Hopping freight cars & fighting for those that couldn't defend themselves. She continued her journey earning an MSWMPH jointly from 2 universities while caring for 3 daughters Sherrilyn, Chantay,& Vondi. She worked to improve her community with Congressman Phil Burton, Mayors Moscone & Feinstein, along with a myriad of other politicians during crucial moments in San Francisco's history. Notably the Southeast Asian relocation, George Moscone / Harvey Milk assassination, the Jim Jones Guyana tragedy in which she brought back all the murdered foster children & infants to the US; then acquire a location for them to rest & their parents to mourn peacefully. Her advocacy for the differently abled provided street access throughout the city. At Bethel AME she was the chairman of the Social Action Commission and led the black community to positively change the black political landscape in San Francisco. Thereby paving the way for all people of color. That was not enough, so she worked in an AIDS hospice when it was socially taboo. Soon, that wasn't challenging, so she moved to Highland hospital adopted another daughter Lisa and as a team took care of thousands in their time of crisis. She said it was her most fulfilling position next to Mother/Grandmother. Her legacy is she made you feel like the best version of yourself. Her goal was for you to BECOME THAT VERSION & PAY IT FORWARD! She leaves a host of family and friends to CONTINUE HER MISSION.

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