HISTORY
Jim & Irma Malone and Asa & Ann Courson, advocates rights of the mentally ill, joined together in 1987 to begin what is now known as NAMI Nassau County, to provide a support system for mental ill persons and their families.
Hattie Morris with the help of her husband Frank, joined shortly thereafter, becoming the President of the Organization. Quoting from the News-Leader on May 13, 1992, Lisa Achilles writes:
"Don't ever tell Hattie Morris she can't do something. Chances are she will prove you wrong. Words like 'can't' are not in Morris' vocabulary. She has faced many challenges in her life and met them all head-on with a strong will and fierce determination.
"For the past four years she has been fighting for the rights of mentally ill people in Nassau County. Morris knows first-hand what mental illness can do to a person and a family. She has watched her son, a schizophrenic, suffer in a society that knows little about mental illness and avoids those who have it. But Morris and other members of AMI (Alliance for the Mentally Ill), a national, non-profit organization, are working to change attitudes about mental illness by educating people on the subject and pushing for better treatment of the mentally ill.
"The organization also raises money for brain research through fundraisers such as the charity golf tournament coming up Sunday at the Fernandina Beach Golf Course. Morris started the tournament four years ago because of her son's interest in the sport and because people told her she would never pull it off.' Everyone said you can't do that, and I was determined to do it!' Morris said.
"Money raised from the tournament goes to support brain research at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Through the tournament, the organization has raised more than $3,000 for research."
Hattie informed us at present we have two brain tissues in the brain bank at the University of Miami, Hattie's mother's, Georgia Snicker, and her husband's, Frank Morris.
Hattie continued as President until her husband and partner became ill in 1999. She nursed him until his death in 2001, but was always behind the scenes helping in any way she could, and cheering all the newcomers from the sidelines. It took two people, Jo Heller and Helen Walter, to fill her shoes as President. They became much more active in advocacy end Lisa Mohn is now President; Helen Walter, Vice President; Ann Collins, Treasurer; and Henri Perry, Secretary. Henri was with Hattie through the latter part of her reign, and is an important asset, in keeping the new comers focused.
Many other fund
raising events are thrown throughout the year. The October Dinner is given each
year during Mental Health Week; there have been garage sales, donation drives,
etc. Other than brain research, these funds remain in our community: for dental
care so patients do not flash a "toothless grin;" supplement
prescription medications not covered by Medicaid; buy clothing and personal
needs given at Christmas and Easter parties to the approximately 85 mentally ill
living at Day Spring Village;