SUNY Commends Barbara A. Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram for Winning Governor Paterson's Women of Excellence Award in Education

Albany – The State University of New York commended Barbara A. Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram for Winning the Governor's Women of Excellence Award in Education.

Governor David Paterson, who created the award six years ago as a way to celebrate Women’s History Month, made the announcement yesterday at the state Capitol.

“New York has a strong tradition of remarkable women whose contributions have enriched our communities and set an example for generations to come,” Governor Paterson said. “In their work to improve our businesses, protect our health, expand our knowledge and keep us safe, the seven women we honor today continue this legacy. I am honored, particularly during Women’s History Month, to celebrate their achievements and I want to congratulate Ms. Nevergold and Ms. Brooks-Bertram for their work not only on this very special publication but for the work they do each and every day at the University of Buffalo.”

Nevergold and Brooks-Bertram were chosen for this prestigious award because they compiled and edited the book Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady.

“We are thrilled to be part of this important historic moment in the history of this country where African and African American women from around the world recognized the significance of their words and sentiments and saw Go, Tell Michelle as the vehicle to document this historic event,” said coeditors Nevergold and  Brooks-Bertram.

“Through their letters and poems they carved a memorable and lasting space in the history of First Ladies in this country,” continued the coeditors. We are deeply indebted to John B. Simpson, the President of the University at Buffalo for the support of our work and the leadership at SUNY Press, Gary Dunham, for his excitement and eagerness to join us on this historic journey.”

“Barbara Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram have given voice to African-American women from across the country at a very important time in our history and Governor Paterson is right to honor them,” said SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman Carl T. Hayden.  “These two remarkable women are an important part of cultural and educational life at the University at Buffalo and we take particular pride in their accomplishments and in the fact that they have been published by SUNY Press.”

“We are delighted with the Governor’s recognition of this important, celebrated book and its remarkable editors,” said SUNY Press Executive Director Gary Dunham. “Go, Tell Michelle continues to touch so many and SUNY Press is proud to be its publisher.”

Nevergold and Brooks-Bertram are University at Buffalo senior educational specialists and cofounders of the Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education on Women at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York.

A week after the presidential election, Nevergold and Brooks-Bertram sent out a call for women to express their hopes and advice for Michelle Obama through letters, poetry, and recipes. Hundreds of letters poured in, from professors and poets, playwrights and religious leaders, musicians, retirees, and ordinary women. From those many letters, 100 were chosen to be part of the book. Working closely with SUNY Press, the book was published in 34 days.

While only 100 letters were published as part of Go, Tell Michelle, Nevergold says the unpublished letters they received will be included in an online digital repository, available at the Uncrowned Queens Web site. The audiobook version, read by the editors, will be available later this month and will include not only the letters from the print edition but additional letters that did not make it into the original book.

Please visit the Go, Tell Michelle blog for more up-to-the-minute information.

About SUNY Press

As an acclaimed international publisher of distinguished research and notable works of general interest since 1966, SUNY Press and its Center for Scholarly Communication are proud to support the State University of New York’s commitments to teaching, research, and public service. Through its Excelsior Editions imprint, SUNY Press makes available exceptional works for all readers and also showcases the diversity and abiding energy of the peoples, histories, and natural beauty of New York and the surrounding regions. Visit www.sunypress.edu for more information.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating nearly 440,000 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu 

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