About Fredda Samantha Bryan
Ms. Fredda Samantha Bryan was a humanitarian and a community legend. Her career accomplishments began in 1985 when she joined the U. S. Navy. During her enlistment, Fredda made history as the first African American female Air Traffic Controller to advance to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. After twenty-two years of service, she retired honorably in 2009.
Ms. Bryan saw her retirement as the beginning of a new chapter in life. She devoted herself full-time to her position as Community Health Advisor for the American Cancer Society in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Ms. Bryan, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, fought her battle with cancer, while also fighting that battle on behalf of others. Ms. Bryan turned her illness into power by continuing to uplift others, while fighting to improve healthcare access and cancer outcomes for people of color in the South Atlantic region. Ms. Bryan took on all the challenges in educating minorities and those who lived in underserved counties. She also worked on some legislation with governors for cancer awareness. As Associate Director at the American Cancer Society (ACS), she was awarded the Fredda Bryan Diversity Visionary Award, named in her honor.
In an interview with Black Entertainment Television (BET) — which honored her in 2012 with a community service award, Bryan was quoted as saying, “I am very transparent when talking to other women. No one wants to be told they have cancer, but early detection can make a difference. The more I have done this work, the more I refer to it as my blessed journey.”
Aside from working with American Cancer Society, Ms. Bryan was also a dedicated member of Grove Church in Portsmouth, VA, the National Association of Black Military Women, South Hampton Roads Pan-Hellenic Council, the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, the local Urban League, as well as many other organizations.
Ms. Bryan wants her legacy to be, “I made a positive impact on the people that I’ve met, that I was consistent and fair and that I loved doing God’s work”. Out of all her career accomplishments and volunteer work, her greatest joy by far was her son, D’Angelo Applewhite. As a single mother, she took pride in raising her son and teaching him many life's lessons. She made a home for them in Chesapeake, Virginia.
The Fredda Samantha Bryan Foundation was established in her honor and in recognition of her service to the communities of Hampton Roads.