Dr. Laura Hickson was born January 24, 1962, to Abraham and Lillie Mae McFadden in Williamsburg County. She is the oldest girl of 9 children. one deceased at 8 months old. She was born in Williamsburg County but lived in Florence County, Lake City, most of her childhood and adult life. Dr. Hickson has two awesome children, Jocerlyn and Lorenzo Jamal. Jocerlyn is an educator and Jamal is a technician. Dr. Laura Hickson has been an educator for 41 years serving in various capacities to include teacher, assistant principal, principal, director, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. She believes in the quote by Nelson Mandela that, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”.