The New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the NJ Department of State, is now accepting nominations for its 2008 Mildred Barry Garvin Prize. This is an award of $1,000 that is given for exceptional efforts in making New Jersey students aware of and interested in the African-American past. Mildred Barry Garvin (1926-1993) was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly and the Historical Commission. Her legislation established the Commission’s Afro-American History Program in 1984.
Recipients of the Garvin Prize in 2007 were Steffany A. Baptiste, special education teacher at the Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School, Summit, New Jersey and Brenda C. Brooks, social studies teacher at the Eastern Intermediate High School, Voorhees, New Jersey.
Nominees should be a teacher, counselor, or school librarian who has helped students learn about the African-American historical experience. Such persons can be engaged in K-12 education in a public, private, or charter school. Nominations must be postmarked by October 2, 2007 For detailed instructions and a nomination form, contact Giles R. Wright at the Commission: (609) 984-3464; fax: (609) 633-8168; giles.wright@sos.state.nj.us
The New Jersey Historical Commission is a division of the NJ Department of State. The Commission’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in the state by preserving the historical record and advancing public knowledge and awareness of the Garden State ’s rich heritage.
