Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Outstanding Alumni Award Winner: Leland Bassett (2012)

My maternal grandmother, Ethelene Jones Crockett, was born in 1914 in St. Joseph, Michigan and grew up in Jackson, Michigan. She attended Jackson Community College (JCC) and graduated from University of Michigan. She married George Crockett, Jr. who was an accomplished lawyer, judge and congressman in his own right, and they had three children (including my Mom!) before she decided to attend medical school at Howard University in 1942.

Grandmother Crockett served her medical internship at Detroit Receiving Hospital but completed her residency in a New York City hospital because no Detroit hospital would accept an African American woman. She became the first Black female Ob/Gyn in the state of Michigan in 1952.

She retired from active practice in 1972. In 1978 she became the first woman president of the American Lung Association. Unfortunately, she died later that same year.

My grandmother was larger than life. I loved her very much.  I'm sure that she would be pleased to know that Detroit businessman Leland Bassett is the recipient of the 2012 Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Outstanding Alumni Award.  The Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Award is presented to a person who has displayed a positive and personal involvement in the betterment of humankind and has ongoing contact with JCC.  [SOURCE]

Bassett, who graduated from the college in 1964, is chairman and chief executive officer of Bassett & Bassett, communications managers and counselors, in Detroit. He has pioneered the application of human communication sciences and strategic planning in public relations, corporate communications and strategic communications for more than 30 years.

Congratulations to Mr. Bassett ... he's officially part of our 'village' now!