Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson Receives the George Washington Carver Award

New York — Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, was one of three Americans honored at the 15th Annual Black History Makers Award ceremonies Thursday, Feb. 7 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel.

Host Bill Cosby presented Jackson with the George Washington Carver Award on behalf of Associated Black Charities, sponsor of the event.

Jackson was recognized for her achievements in science, education, and government.

Dr. Ruth Simmons, recently appointed the first African-American president of Brown University, received the Mary McLeod Bethune Award. Eminent pediatric surgeon Dr. Benjamin Carson M.D. of Johns Hopkins Hospital received the Dr. Charles Richard Drew Award.

Since 1987 the Black History Makers Awards have honored outstanding Americans such as Maya Anjelou, Thurgood Marshall, Marian Anderson, Spike Lee, General Colin Powell, and John Hope Franklin.

“Drs. Benjamin Carson, Shirley Ann Jackson, and Ruth Simmons, three outstanding African-Americans, have blazed new trails and left enduring imprints for American youth to emulate,” said Rayton Gerald, chairman of the board of directors of Associated Black Charities.

Associated Black Charities promotes educational improvement to prepare children for the technology-driven Information Age and seeks to strengthen black philanthropy as an ideal and practical obligation.