Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Award Winner: Laura Stanton (2016)

Dr. Jones Crockett

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 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.

Laura Stanton

My grandmother was larger than life. I loved her very much. I'm sure that she would be pleased to know that Laura Stanton, an alumna noted for her dedication to education and adoption, is Jackson College's 2016 Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Award recipient. The Crockett award is given annually by Jackson College to honor distinguished alumni who have displayed a positive and personal involvement in the betterment of humankind and has ongoing contact with Jackson College. Stanton attended what then was Jackson Community College in the early 1970s, finishing her education at Eastern Michigan University, where she obtained a teaching degree.  [SOURCE]

Stanton spent 20 years as a Jackson Public Schools teacher and was a reading and instructional specialist before retiring in 1997. In 1999, she and her husband David established the Stanton Foundation, which is dedicated to education and adoption. Stanton helped coordinate the annual Wendy's Charity Classic golf tournament, which in 15 years has raised more than $2.5 million for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and Wendy's Wonderful Kids programs.

Congratulations to Ms. Stanton ... she's officially part of our 'village' now!

Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Award Winners: George Potter and Karen Dunigan

Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett

This blog is very pleased to acknowledge two Jackson, Michigan residents who have played instrumental roles in the evolution of Jackson College. The Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Award is given annually by the college to honor alumni who have displayed "a positive and personal involvement in the betterment of humankind and have ongoing contact with Jackson College." [SOURCE]

George Potter, who was on the college’s founding board in 1962 and remained a trustee for 44 years, is this year’s recipient of the Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Award.

Former Jackson Mayor Karen Dunigan also will receive the college’s Distinguished Service Award for what trustees said is her role in the organization of the Jackson Preparatory and Early College charter school.

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!

Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Distinguished Alumni Award Winner: Bill Maher (1920-2011)

My maternal grandmother, Ethelene Jones Crockett, was born in 1914 in St. Joseph, Michigan and grew up in Jackson, Michigan. She attended Jackson Junior College 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. It would tickle her to know that her junior college created an alumni award in her name. The Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Distinguished Alumni Award is awarded annually by Jackson Community College.  William Maher won the award earlier this year.   This blog was sad to learn that Mr. Maher died earlier this month. [SOURCE]

Many of those who met him might agree that a conversation with William Maher was an unforgettable experience.

With a passion for his community that spurred him to support a number of local efforts, Maher had a big voice and a personality that left an even bigger impression.

Maher, an avid community activist and fundraiser, died suddenly Friday while walking on Vicary Road near his home in Liberty Township. He was 91.

Maher’s daughter, Linda Hath, said his passion to improve the community was rooted in his love for its people.

“He loved being around people,” said Hath, 57, of Liberty Township. “He knew everybody.”

Maher “could never sit still,” Hath said, and he served on a number of local boards and committees, including the YMCA Board of Directors, Jackson County Airport Advisory Board and the Jackson Community College Foundation Board.

He was behind a push to institute later start times for high school students and cited studies that show teens learn better later in the morning.

His love of flying made him a regular fixture at the Jackson County Airport and he helped develop a flight training program at Jackson Community College. He chaired committees that raised money for planes and equipment for the college, led an advisory committee for the flight training program and founded the William and Mary Lee Maher Aviation Scholarship.

He had been working in recent years to install a monument at the county airport’s Aviation Heritage Park that would be dedicated to World War II pilots and what was then Jackson Junior College’s role in training them.

It was an important project to Maher, who was honored in 1994 with the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal for his service in China during World War II, when he worked as a supplier for the AVG Flying Tigers and Chinese Army.

Maher had a great mind for business and a skill for convincing people to get behind projects he was pursuing, said JCC spokeswoman Cindy Allen, who often talked with Maher.

He had visited her office the day before he died, she said.

“He always left you with a handshake or a hug and vowed to get back to you in a few days, and he would do that,” Allen said. “He might have a strong, boisterous voice, but he has a very soft heart.”

Maher was driven to promote the importance of education and hard work and to support students, Allen said.

Good News Tuesday: Dr. Ethelene Crockett (1914-1978)

Dr. Ethelene Crockett (1914-1978) is a member of the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. I thought the time was right to share some good news about Detroit. I also happen to think that Dr. Crockett is a remarkable role model for nubian sisters all over the world.

Dr. Ethelene Crockett was a Detroit physician who became well known as a community leader and humanitarian. “She was involved in the betterment of society in areas beyond medicine. Her unselfish contributions of time, knowledge, energy and leadership served to rectify social inequality to help those whose need was immediate, and those who could not speak for themselves,” stated a 1978 New Detroit, Inc. resolution.

Dr. Crockett began medical school at Howard University when she was 28 years old, married to George W. Crockett, Jr., later a Congressman, and the mother of three children. She became Michigan’s first Black woman specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. For 35 years, Dr. Crockett practiced medicine as an outstanding obstetrician in Detroit.

Dr. Crockett was an energetic advocate for day care centers to assist working women. She frequently lectured on family planning and public health care. She directed the Detroit Maternal Infant Care Project from 1967 to 1970, and helped design and direct the Detroit Model Neighborhood Comprehensive Health Center. In 1980 the first Detroit Public Schools Vocational-Technical Center was dedicated in her honor as the career training center for the Health Occupations.

In 1972 she led the fight to liberalize Michigan’s abortion laws. In 1977, the Detroit Medical Society selected her 'Physician of the Year'. She was the first woman to be president of the American Lung Association, the nation’s largest and oldest voluntary health organization. She served on the Detroit Public Library Commission and as an officer for the Michigan Cancer Society. In 1971 the Detroit Free Press cited Dr. Crockett as one of “nine of Detroit’s Most Successful Women." She received the 'Woman of the Year' Award from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Beta Omicron Zeta Chapter in 1972. In 1973 the Howard University Alumni Federation, Washington D.C. cited her “For Conspicuous Service to Her Profession and Community.”

Ethelene Crockett came of age during the Depression. A Black woman from a poor family, she was able to go to college and then to medical school.

"If you want something badly enough...and if you can communicate that desire to others...what you want can be had," were her words in explaining her accomplishments.

She was a remarkable woman. I'm blessed that she was my grandmother!

Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Distinguished Alumni Award

My maternal grandmother, Ethelene Jones Crockett, was born in 1914 in St. Joseph, Michigan and grew up in Jackson, Michigan. She attended Jackson Junior College 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. It would tickle her to know that her junior college created an alumni award in her name. The Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Distinguished Alumni Award is awarded annually by Jackson Community College. Leonard Griehs won the award this year. Mr. Griehs is vice president of investor relations at Campbell Soup Company.

I just wanted to use this post to express gratitude to JCC for creating this award and to Mr. Griehs for winning it this year. Use this post as your reminder to give your Mom or Grandmother a call! Tomorrow is not promised to any of us...