Harry Penn

Dr. Harry Theodore Penn (1902? in Lynchburg, Virginia – May 8, 1963 in Roanoke) was a noted dentist and civic activist in Roanoke, Virginia.

Dr. Penn was a graduate of Virginia Seminary, now the Virginia University of Lynchburg, and Howard University College of Dentistry in 1931. "Harry T. Penn, dentist and proprietor of drug stores. Brother Penn later served as Representative for 5 years, and was elected grand Basileus at the 34th and 35th Grand Conclaves of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc."

He later became president of the National Dental Association. "In 1958, NDA President Harry T. Penn, Roanoke, Virginia, represented the Association at the Minorities Community Resources Conference convened at the Washington Willard Hotel with Vice President Richard M. Nixon serving as chairman of President Dwight Eisenhower's Committee on Government Contracts", formed under Executive Order 10479.

Dr. Penn was also past president of the Western District Dental Society, the Old Dominion Dental Society and the National Dental Association. He was also past president and board chairman of the Burrell Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Penn was named to the Roanoke School Board in 1948, "...becoming the first black person to serve on a school board in the south." He later also unsuccessfully ran for the Roanoke City Council in 1942, 1944 and 1952.

He was also active in Virginia voter registration, and was elected to the "Allied Civic and Political Organization" in order to sponsor a drive to secure 200,000 back voters.

Dr. Penn first retired from politics after 1951, but became involved again with the powerful United Citizen's Council of Virginia. He was also a trustee of both the Burrell Memorial Hospital and the First Baptist Church (Roanoke, Virginia).

Disgusted with Virginia politicians' attitude toward segregation and the Byrd Organization, Dr. Penn moved to Washington, DC, in 1961, but later returned to Roanoke.

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