Heritage Programs: Subcommittees: Cape Verdean Hall Of Fame 2005

The Honorable George S. Lima

The Honorable George Silva Lima was born on April 4, 1919 in Fall River, Massachusetts, the son of Cape Verdean immigrant parents, Anna Morais Silva, a native of Boa Vista, and Manuel Duarte Lima, born in Sao Nicolau.   George attended North Carolina A & T College where he received his pilot’s license. George was a Tuskegee airman and a military photographic officer in World War II. He graduated with a BA degree from Brown University, where he founded the local chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

Mr. Lima was the union representative for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees – AFL.  He was an employee of the federal government for many years in the Office of Economic Opportunity, culminating his federal career as State Director of OEO for the State of Rhode Island. Upon retirement Mr. Lima entered politics serving as the State Representative for District 83 in East Providence for two terms.

Mr. Lima, a civil rights activist, has been affiliated with many organizations including the Rhode Island chapter of the NAACP, where he served as President, the Cape Verdean Progressive Center, the Cape Verdean Sub-committee of the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, the American Cape Verdean Cultural Exchange Commission of the State of Rhode Island and the Boa Vista Seven. 

A documentary “Black Men Can Fly: The Story of George S. Lima” was recently released. 

George was married to the late Selma Boone Lima, a fellow activist and educator. He is the father of three children, Anna Maria Bowling, George S. Lima, Jr. and Robert Manuel Lima.
In retirement Mr. Lima continues to be an active participant in civil rights, political and community issues.