Elaine Turner

Biography

Elaine Lee-Turner is a Memphis based African-American historian, educator, civil rights activist and entrepreneur. Born in Memphis to Robert and Alversa Williams Lee, Elaine's family were described in a 1965 Jet magazine article as the "Most Arrested Family" in America, as the 7 Lee sisters were arrested at least 15 times at sit-ins from 1960-1965. In 1983, after working as a school teacher for 15 years, Elaine and her sister Joan Lee-Nelson realised that many African-American children in Memphis did not know their own history. Together they founded Heritage Tours, Memphis, where Elaine serves as president. Elaine is also the director of Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum and the director of the W. C. Handy Memphis Home & Museum. In 1997, Turner's Heritage Tours established the W. C. Handy Heritage Awards which pays tribute to the many outstanding Memphis musicians. Elaine and Joan have won several awards for contributions to black historical heritage.