"NBSN - Making the Network Work"
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"NBSN - Making the Network Work" |
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2009 JEGNA Award Recipient Bette J. McLeod Ms. McLeod has been a life-long educator. As a graduate of Hampton University (HBCU), Ms. McLeod chose to be a mathematics teacher because she was told that “Negro Women Don’t Do Math.” While growing up in Louisville, KY, she was the first African American in her neighborhood to get a library card. She still remembers how the entire neighborhood walked with her to the library. She has used that library card over and over to help students realize their true potential. Before Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s Birthday became a national holiday, every year, Bette and husband Milton held “teach-ins” with fellow educators at their home. The purpose, to continually share ideas and strategies for successfully preparing their “community of students” to master the world with all of its treasures. Once MLK’s Birthday was adopted, the “teach-ins” moved to Presidents’ Day weekend and “The McLeod Black Experience” was born; a weekend filed with discussions, music, historians, dances, workshops, etc. Bette often presides as key note speaker at High School Graduation Ceremonies, in addition to facilitating community discussions on implementing effective strategies to eliminate the ethnic minority achievement gap, through positive reinforcement. By establishing an African-inspired clothing business, she uses African attire and artifacts to inspire students and adults to acknowledge their connection to the African Diaspora. She is a great friend to State Delegate Joanne Benson, who also fondly refers to her, as our NBSN family does, as “Mother Bette.” The JEGNA AwardJEGNA means courage, strength and protection of our culture, land and people. This award is presented to an active member who personifies these qualities. This award will recognize outstanding contributions to NBSN and/or advocacy on behalf of African American employees of NEA and its affiliates. In the African culture, JEGNA is a title of distinction. In Africa, the master teacher is so revered. Its foundation is “Excellence in our own tradition.” The 2010 recipient will be presented this prestigious honor during the Awards Banquet on Saturday, February 27, 2010. JEGNA (Jegnoch, plural) are those special people who have (1) been tested in struggle or battle, (2) demonstrated extraordinary and unusual fearlessness, (3) shown determination and courage in protecting his/her people, land and culture, (4) shown diligence and dedication to our people, (5) produced exceptionally high quality work, and (6) dedicated themselves to the protection, defense, nurturance, and development of our young by advancing our people, place and culture. JEGNA is one whose central focus is on the culture and character of one’s people and who vows to speak the truth. In order to become a JEGNA, one has to make a life and death decision. That is, the JEGNA must be willing to put everything (career, reputation, and status) on the line for what they believe. Na Ezaleli is a Lingala word from the Bantu-Congo peoples of Central Africa. Almost forty percent of our ancestors came from this region. The phrase “Na Zali Na Ezaleli” means, “I am with existence or essence,” from Na Ezaleli to the JEGNA represents the intention to understand the importance of going from one’s essence (Na Ezaleli) to the position of elder (JEGNA). An elder is a person who is still growing, still a learner, still with potential and whose life continues to have within it promise for and connection to the future. An elder is a person who deserves respect and honor and whose work it is to synthesize wisdom from long life experience and formulate this into a legacy for future generations.
Among the many great ancient African
teachers, leaders, healer communities in our traditions, are
that community in Ethiopia, the JEGNA. There is no higher model
in any culture anywhere than that of the JEGNA. 2009 Sam Ethridge Award Recipient Joanne C. Benson Delegate Benson is a member of the Legislative Black Caucus of MD. She has been a “best friend” to public school education all of her life. As a graduate of Bowie State College (HBCU) and as an educator for over 30 years, she has NEVER missed an MSTA Annual Convention, even while serving in the Maryland Legislature. Ms. Benson’s dedication to the success of all children is most compelling when she addresses the elimination of the Ethnic minority achievement gap. She has chaired numerous initiatives to promote high expectations and high self-esteem for our students. She has been often honored for her community involvement activities as well. Some of her most noted accomplishments include: Task Force to Study History and Legacy of Slavery in Maryland; Task Force to Study Repealing the Disenfranchisement of Convicted Felons in MD; MD Commission on Disabilities; MD School-Based Health Care Policy Advisory Council. When “Joanne” serves on a task force, you know to expect results. Once she has “Studied” the issue, it’s then time to “Get Busy!” Ms. Benson is also a very close and committed friend to Bette J. McLeod, who members of the NBSN have “adopted” as “Mother Bette.” Once you meet Ms. Benson you will easily refer to her as “Sister Joanne.”The Sam Ethridge Award
Sam Ethridge worked for the NEA from 1964 to 1984, and had an outstanding career as an Association Executive. Sam soothed the paths for the NEA-ATA merger and negotiated delicate issues such as NEA’s participation in school desegregation litigation, employment of staff in the formerly dual southern states and correction of inequitable and unequal racial treatment of educators and students. In 1972, NEA created a Teacher’s Rights unit and named Sam Ethridge as its first leader. The unit administered the Center for Human Relations, the DuShane Emergency Fund for Teacher Rights, Professional Rights and Responsibilities Commission and the Ethics Commission. Coretta Scott King said, “Sam Ethridge was a fine educator and dedicated professional of the NEA, who also cared deeply about promoting the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the nation’s schools. He was a valued and dedicated long time member of the King Center’s Board of Directors, representing the NEA and we are fortunate to benefit from his friendship, support and advice.” One of the things that Sam harped on was to never end a meeting without lighting a candle so that we would not curse the darkness. He often said, “Pay yourself first.” Sam believed in taking his raises and putting them in the bank so that he would always own himself. He urged Black Staff to strive to have a year’s salary in the bank to make easier for us to stand on our principles. He warned us to stay strong and never let the work own us. “Read the tea leaves,” he said to the staff at a meeting in San Francisco. He believed in always looking to the future. And finally, Sam always wanted us to remember why Matthew Henson was selected to go to the North Pole. It wasn’t because he was black, but because he knew the language. He coined the phrase – Speak Eskimo! All of us need to be unique. Sam was a convener, one who brought groups together to talk about the tough stuff. He cam when US cities were burning – when our hopes were being uplifted and stomped down all in a flash of a news event. Let’s remember that Sam built bridges for us to cross. In his life of Association staff work, we must always remember “how we got ovah!” The NBSN Sam Ethridge Award honors a non-NBSN member who has made an outstanding contribution to education, particularly in the African-American community. The 2010 recipient will be presented this prestigious award during the Awards Banquet on Saturday, February 27, 2010. Click here to download a copy of the Sam Ethridge Award nominating form.
A candle in the dark |
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