Rotary Club member presents history of Rosenwald schools in Madison County
JACKSON, Tenn. — A Rotary Club member led an educational program Wednesday tracing the history of Rosenwald schools in Madison County, dating back to 1916.
Dr. Jerry Woods, who has served as a teacher, principal, and supervisor for several schools, hosted the program for members and guests at the weekly meeting. His presentation drew from his doctoral dissertation on the Rosenwald schools.
“It’s a fascinating story that deals with the Julius Rosenwald school building program and we had numerous schools here in Madison County that were built by the aid of the Rosenwald fund,” Woods said.
Dr. Woods, who attended one of the Rosenwald schools, also addressed the role of intention and self-innovation in the history of the program.
“To have the care, the compassion, and have the drive to see that African American students will succeed is very encouraging,” Woods said.
Ashley Jones Sykes also spoke at the meeting about the program’s lasting significance.
In sharing the history behind the Rosenwald schools, it continues to show the impact on the Madison County community.
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