"One of the reasons people stop learning is that they become less and less willing to risk failure." - John W. Gardner
Savage Foundation Sponsors Statewide Literary Contest
Focusing
On Barbara Johns, Education, and the Civil Rights Movement
Executive Director Rich Savage presents Ann Baumer with her award at the Civil Rights Symposium.
NOT PICTURED is contest winner Samuel Hester.
“I want to sincerely thank you for enabling the written word to continue to have an impact in today’s world... Thank you for helping me, one of today’s students, have a voice.”
- Ann Laurence Baumer
Essay Contest Winner
Richmond, VA, July 21st - The Savage Foundation, in honor of the dedication of the Civil Rights Memorial in Richmond, recognized the winners of a statewide essay/poem contest on the impact that Barbara Johns and the Civil Rights movement had on education.
Johns, a student at Moton High in Prince Edward County, led a walkout in 1951 to protest the poor and unequal conditions of their segregated high school. Her actions and resulting lawsuit later became part of the landmark 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education case.
"Secretary Baskerville approached us about having an education component as a part the celebration weekend. We thought it was a great way to link the efforts of those brave students of the past with the students of today. It was an honor to be a part of it," said Rich Savage, Executive Director of the Savage Foundation.
Executive Director Rich Savage along with Blair Underwood, honorary co-chair of the Civil Rights Memorial Dedication presents Nathan Fleming with his award at the State Capital in Richmond, VA.
"We dedicate a memorial to those whose efforts made a better, quality education possible for future generations of African- Americans. To these young writers and poets I say this: Every time you use your academic skills to put a pen to paper, every time you convey a story through written words, you honor those who gave so much for you to have that opportunity. You are living memorials to the efforts of Barbara Johns, Oliver Hill and the countless others whose names are lost but look down on you today with pride as you accept your awards." - Rich Savage
© 2011, The Savage Foundation, A 501C-3 Non Profit Organization
