A "Bold and Fearless" Neva Rose Recognized
For Her Work in Education
by Andrew Kerr
May 6, 2009
On April 11, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (Stone Mountain-Lithonia Chapter) (NCBWSML) recognized Neva Rose for making "significant inroads in encouraging young people to pursue science, mathematics, engineering, and technology fields, and for her work in training educators to guide young people into those fields."
Ms. Rose has performed these services as a program director at the Georgia Institute of Technology's Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC). She also works as a partner with, and is funded by, the Atlanta Public Schools to develop and align science curriculum, and to design and provide professional learning for teachers in the sciences and mathematics.
The award is officially titled the "Bold & Fearless Award in Primary and Secondary Education in Science, Math, Engineering and Technology." Explaining the "bold and fearless" portion of the award's name, NCBWSML President Lynita M. Mitchell-Blackwell says, "It's not always easy to stand up against the status quo. To be a person who is willing to stand up you have to have courage."
While the NCBW was founded in 1981, the Stone Mountain-Lithonia Chapter of the organization began life in 2004. These awards are the first the organization has handed out. A total of five honorees were recognized for tackling a spectrum of social issues important to the NCBWSML in its efforts to support and advance African-American women. In addition to Ms. Rose's work in education, awards were conferred to individuals working in the fields of nutrition, HIV/AIDS, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial career development. The ceremony was held at the Doubletree Hotel in Tucker, GA.
CEISMC Director Dr. Richard Millman said, “Georgia Tech has an important role to play in outreach, especially regarding science, engineering, and mathematics in the K-12 schools. Ms. Rose’s accomplishments are extraordinary and she is a wonderful example of a person who is truly making a difference in the lives of students and teachers.”
When asked about the award, Ms. Rose quoted Maya Angelou: "When you learn, teach. When you get, give." She then added, "This award will serve as a constant reminder to continue to teach and give."