Dixon Lewis became well-known in Plant City when she became the first black girl to make it onto the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Court, earning the title of First Maid in 1973. These days, the longtime educator’s penchant for kindness pays off for Plant Citians young, old and in between as she’ll lend a helping hand wherever she can.
Essie Dixon Lewis has never met a stranger in her life.
Her warm, friendly nature was well-known around Plant City from her childhood and was on full display in the 1973 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Pageant. She made history that year as the first black girl to place in the top five and, furthermore, she was named First Maid. For Dixon Lewis, it was like the fulfillment of everything she was taught to believe in.
The oldest of three children, Dixon Lewis was raised in a single-parent household by a mother, Lucille Dixon, who instilled the value of hard work in her kids. She led both through her words and by example, and those lessons learned still resonate.
“I look back at my childhood,” Dixon Lewis said. “My mom had three kids and she was by herself. To see her do stuff like being a Girl Scouts leader and she was very active in the church — her thing was, ‘Whenever you can do something for somebody, do it. God blessed you. Do it.’”
Since graduating from Florida A&M University, Dixon Lewis has used her personality and her education to help others wherever she could. She is involved with the Order of the Eastern Star, is a co-leader for local Girl Scouts, is active at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and also works for Winslow Honors Funeral Chapel. She’s volunteered with Plant City HeadStart, the Improvement League of Plant City and the Plant City Area Democratic Club, and she also likes to lend a hand to anyone who may need it. That could be a child who could use some tutoring, adults who need help applying for Social Security, food stamps and other programs or a senior citizen who needs help getting groceries.
“I feel needed and sometimes I say that’s a good thing, sometimes I say that’s a bad thing,” Dixon Lewis said. “I hear from people, ‘You need to go sit down and rest. Do you ever sit down?’ Yes I do. When you pass my house sometimes and see me just sitting up in my truck, I’m resting. I’m getting my comfort reading the Bible.”
Working with children is one of Dixon Lewis’s biggest passions. She spent 20 years teaching at schools in Tallahassee and around Hillsborough County and still enjoys helping kids with their studies to this day. She also loves her Girl Scouts and has been active with the organization since her granddaughter, a high school junior who recently bridged over to Ambassador status, was in kindergarten. One of her core beliefs is that anyone can learn a lot from children as long as they’re willing to sit back and listen.
“You can learn something from a kid just by listening to them,” she said. “And you can actually also be a big standpoint for a kid. You can direct them in a beautiful direction just listening to them, asking them what they want to do later in life and how they plan to get there, start a journal with them… my thing is just, sit there and listen to kids. You’ll be amazed at what you get out of listening to children. Kids can teach you so much and you can get their respect, not just for yourself but also others.”
After two decades as a schoolteacher, Dixon Lewis decided to switch gears. She always wanted to be a social worker. But as Lucille’s health began to fail her, Dixon Lewis focused her energy toward taking care of her mother. Lucille. In addition to Lucille, Dixon Lewis has other senior citizens in her life whom she helps with day-to-day tasks, checks in with and loves to talk to. Learning about family histories and local history is rewarding for her, and she values the friendships she’s formed with the elderly.
Her ability to connect with people also helps with one of her newer jobs. Dixon Lewis works with Winslow Honors Funeral Chapel and can often be found comforting families in their times of need as they say goodbye to their loved ones. She thought all she would be asked to do was read resolutions, which is something she was prepared for through her speaking at Order of the Eastern Star functions. But she eventually found herself being a shoulder to cry on, a companion for families and someone willing to play outside with the kids when they need to let some energy out.
As long as Dixon Lewis can work with people, no matter how big or small the job is, she’ll help however she can and turn a complete stranger into a friend in the process.
“It’s a good feeling,” she said. “It’s a happy feeling, meeting people and learning and partaking. It’s hard to describe. It just works.”
GET TO KNOW ESSIE
Who is a woman that has inspired you?
My mother.
What books are you currently reading?
The Bible and Our Daily Bread.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your ‘good’ is your ‘better’ and your ‘better’ is your ‘best.’”
If you had the power to change one thing in Plant City tomorrow, what would it be?
Everything will be better if we just come together as one. Everybody’s just one person. That’s all I want to see, togetherness.
What’s the hardest life lesson you’ve learned?
I strongly regret not going into the military. I signed up, got to the door to be sworn in and turned around. I was thinking of my mama. “What happens if I go away and something happens to my mama?” If I had to do it all over again, I would go to college and then go into the military.
What advice would you give to the next generation of women?
Be determined at what you want to do. Set out to do what you want to do. Don’t give up. Pursue it and do it. Take chances. Don’t sit back and say “I can’t.” Keep that out of your vocabulary. Say “I’ll try.”
If you could have any actor play you in a movie about your life, who would you pick?
Diana Ross.
