Description

Wylene Branton Wood is a lifelong educator, who as a teacher and volunteer has involved herself in activities to promote education, social justice and equality.  Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Wylene grew up in a family and a community involved in calling for justice and battling segregation.

From 2006 to 2014 she has served as the President of the African American Historical Society of Rockland County.  Also in 2006, she served as Co-Chair of the Amistad Project, a highly successful initiative that brought the Freedom Schooner Amistad to Rockland County and provided educational, cultural and historic experiences for hundreds of Rocklanders of all ages, races, and ethnicities.   In 2009 and 2010 she coordinated the “A Mighty River” programs. These programs presented little known information about the social and economic contributions of peoples of the African Diaspora to the development of towns along the Lower Hudson River and were designed to enlighten all Rocklanders but especially school children in grades 6-11. The Amistad and the “A Mighty River” events were joint projects of the African American Historical Society of Rockland County, The CEJJES Institute, and the Spring Valley NAACP along with major support from Rockland Community College.

PURPOSE 

The AAHS of Rockland County Scholarship Fund awards scholarship book awards to college-bound high school seniors based on academics and an expressed interest in pursuing a degree in African/African-American studies.

CRITERIA 

Eligible students must be graduating high school seniors who reside in Rockland County and intend to continue their education at a college or university. Consideration will be given to academics, financial need and interest in African/African-American studies. Students should submit the scholarship application provided by the African American Historical Society of Rockland County.