|
Creative
and energetic- capable of the sustained effort necessary to see a
project from conception to  completion.
Ability to exercise prudent judgment in decision making areas;
innovative and flexible in developing NEW IDEAS OF PRACTICAL MERIT.
Determined, dedicated, strong professional talents are word that barely
scratches the surface of a woman that continues to co-author her own
destiny. Born the seventh of twelve children in Gary, Indiana to Robert
and Robbie Gholson, Robbie knew at a very early age she wanted to be a
teacher. Upon graduating from Gary Roosevelt High School, she was asked
by the principal to work as his Secretary which she did for one year.
Robbie soon realized that she was working just as hard as her teacher
counterparts, without as much pay. With this in mind, she remembered her
promise to herself to become a teacher and went back to school full
time.
Robbie attended Indiana
University for two years, married, moved to St. Louis and two and a half
years later graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor
of Science in Elementary Education. Robbie fondly recalls, “Every time
I had a final, I was having a baby.” Her daughter Bonnie Jo and son
Jesse were both born in St. Louis during her undergraduate studies.
Robbie and her family moved to
Houston, Texas in 1963 where she began her teaching career and soon
afterwards gave birth to her third child, Frank. With the mid sixties
and the onset of busing, Robbie decided to channel her teaching skills
toward her children who are all of school age now and beginning to be
transferred and distracted by the onset of integration. Her motivation
and dream of leadership in education found expression in Coalition
called The Citizens For Good School (CGS) which spearheaded the election
of our liberal members to the Board of Education in 1969 (a majority
vote). CGS was created to focus on the administration of the school
district and its handling of desegregation and federal funds. Although
CGS was founded by a predominantly white, middle class group, it quickly
picked up allies, particularly among minorities. The following year,
Robbie was elected President of Citizens For Good Schools (CGS) which
proved to be an invaluable liaison between parents and school
administrators. It was here that her strength in human factors and
public relations were developed. Articulate and determined, she quickly
established a positive rapport with the Superintendent of Schools,
School Board members, Teachers and Parents at all levels throughout the
City. There was always a seriousness about her which perhaps was a
result of people being in active politics because of their children. She
learned to be radical and conciliatory with equal charm. Was
Editor-In-Chief of a newspaper which was published by the 5000 member
organization. When looking back on her term, Robbie said, “I don’t
believe we really had a philosophical
position. We just attempted to bring fairness and reasonableness to the
solution of the problems we faces as a City dealing with change.”
During this same time, Robbie was pursuing her masters in
Ed Ad from the University of Houston.
In 1973 Robbie realized that her marriage was not working and that her
life needed change. She moved to Los Angeles with her daughter while her
two sons stayed in Houston with their father. She recalls this time in
their life as one of great challenge. Still determined to give to life
she sought new experiences and enrolled in UCLA in the School of Design.
Design school proved to be literal experience as well as a figurative
move for Robbie. She was learning the principles of
design, while co-designing a new life for herself in California.
Design school was more than Robbie
expected. She stated, “I naively thought we would play around with
furniture and colors, but it was so much more than that.” She recounts
having to employ elements of engineering, architecture, drafting, model
building, set design and a lot of problem solving. Out of all these
elements, Robbie shared that the most material and meaningful aspect was
problem-solving. After being given an assistant, the objective was to
solve the problem through design and have it critiqued by your fellow
classmates, all 30 of them. It was in these exercises Robbie realized
that the world encompasses many different kinds of vision. There are
many solutions to the same problem. Never in four years did two students
return with the same solution, however, they were all possibilities. In
this respect, the arduous exercises in design school served as
metaphors, reflecting the differences in human expression and
experiences.
An additional design manifested itself in Robbie’s life. Robbie and
O.C. Smith met, fell in Love and were married on February 14, 1976.
Consumed with design school and a new marriage, Robbie continued to grow
and challenge herself. Upon getting her Certificate in Interior Design,
she became a teaching assistant to a notoriously demanding instructor,
whom everyone feared, except Robbie. It was in working with Professor
Adell Faulkner, that Robbie honed and crafted her skills in business and
professional practices. She took her acutely developed skills and began
working for J&J Construction who designed and built sets for TV
Commercials.
With a budding career in design, Robbie continued to take risks
and open herself up to new experiences. One Sunday morning she and O.C.
were invited to hear the
minister Dr. Joseph Murphy lecture on God from a metaphysical concept
and for the first time in her life she was listening
to a minister speak of God the way she felt in her heart.
Together, Robbie and O.C.
discovered a spiritual approach that would forever change their lives.
While Robbie continued with design, O.C. and Robbie decided
to actively study Religious Science, O.C. wanted to become a
minister. A new design and union found expression in both their lives as
they continued in their spiritual awakening. It was at this point, with
both of their lives at a furious place that Robbie longed to have work
that they could share together. Something that would incorporate both of
their God given talents. Little did she know that the City of
Angels Science of Mind Center/Church of Religious Science was an embryo
and about to explode into existence. As in each facet of Robbie’s life
experience, she uses ALL her talents and skills functioning as the heart
and backbone of City of Angels Science of Mind Center. She is an equal
part of the magic that occurs and is shared by all who come into the
experience of the church. She was the Director of Administration, which
allows her to use design, management, teaching and public relation skill
she has ever learned. What she embodies is what she brought to each
person fortunate enough to share some time with her. Honest. Concerned.
Giving. Loving. Each preceding word at a glance is merely an adjective,
however attached to Robbie they become blessed experiences.
In November 2001, Dr.
O.C. made his transition and once again Robbie’s life was redesigned.
Robbie was appointed Senior Minister and CEO of City of Angels Church of
Religious Science, a role she never dreamed of. However, she went within
to the strength, determination and skills which she has developed and is
tenaciously holding on to the Dream.
EDUCATION
Metaphysical Education Center at City of Angels
Honorary Doctorate MECCA
MECCA- Graduate of Ministerial
Program
University of California Los Angeles
Completed 4 Year Interior Design
Program
University of Houston
Master Program Education Administration
Southern Illinois University
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
Indiana University
Undergraduate Work- 2 years
High School: Roosevelt High School- Gary, Indiana
HIGHLIGHTS OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
1982 to 2001 Co-
Founder & Executive Director
Program Coordination
Financial Officer for City of Angels
Church of Religious Science
1981
Began Professional Practice:
Robbie Smith Interior Design
1979 to 1981
J&J Construction Company- Set Design
1980
Adele Faulkner, ID. FASID
– UCLA Professor
Teacher
Assistant Business and
Professional
Practice
for Interior Design
1979 O. C.
Smith/ Brunswick Record Company
New York, New York
Art Director, Album Cover
1971 to 1973 Houston Independent School District
Houston, Texas
Researcher
President of Citizens for Good Schools
1964 to1968
Houston Independent Schools
Houston, Texas
Teacher
1963
Teacher 3rd Grade
St. Louis, Missouri
1957 to 1958 Roosevelt High School
Gary, Indiana
Secretary to Principal
|
