SAN MARCOS COMMUNITY FEATURE
The story of Helen Jackson Franks
It is difficult to sum up someone who has done so many things with her life and has impacted the community in so many different ways. Helen Jackson Franks may be small in stature, but she is a force to be reckoned with, walking hand-inhand with her creator at all times. She was one of the first Black women to attend Texas State University, coining the phrase “We did, so you could.” Franks was a teacher in San Marcos for decades, earning a reputation as being tough but fair. Above all else, she may be one of the most loving people on the planet with a long list of friends that far surpasses that of the average person. In July, Franks celebrated her 81st birthday at the Dunbar Recreation Center, and a large crowd, composed of her family, friends and many elected officials from various departments of government, were all in attendance – a testament to how well known and respected she is.
