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PAWs - Promoting Awareness and Wellness

Ashford University is proud to show you our PAWs. That is, our Promoting Awareness and Wellness initiative! Every month, we'll highlight different causes and opportunities that reflect the values of the University. You'll also learn ways that you can participate or be more involved.

February 2010

Black History Month
This month Ashford University celebrates Black History Month to honor the contributions of African-Americans throughout history.
"Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history."

- Carter G. Woodson
This month, Ashford University is spotlighting Dr. Carter Woodson who is considered to be the father of black history. He received a doctorate degree from Harvard University and remained involved in education throughout his life.

Dr. Woodson's goal was to increase awareness about the variety of roles that African Americans have played in history. He was dedicated to demonstrating the value that these men and women have contributed to our nation and to the world. As a result, to showcase these individuals nationally, in 1926, he originated the celebration of "Negro History Week" in the United States. Dr. Woodson chose the month of February for Negro History Week in order to recognize and celebrate the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (who signed the Emancipation Proclamation which abolished slavery) and Frederick Douglass (former slave and nationally recognized abolitionist); both are significant figures in African American history.

In 1976, the week-long observance was expanded to a month and became known as Black History Month.

Excerpted with permission from http://www.biography.com/articles/Carter-G.-Woodson-9536515.
To learn more about Abraham Lincoln, please visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/abrahamlincoln.
To learn more about Frederick Douglass, please visit http://www.biography.com/articles/Frederick-Douglass-194898.

Celebrating African American Inventors
In celebration of Black History Month, Ashford University is proud to recognize the following African American inventors.

Dr. Patricia Bath — Developed the Cataract Laserphaco Probe. The probe is designed to remove cataracts from patients' eyes. Click here to read more about Dr. Bath.

George Alcorn — Developed the Imaging X-ray Spectrometer. Click here to read more about Mr. Alcorn.

Dr. Charles Richard Drew — Developed the technology to separate and store blood plasma, thus leading to the development of the Blood Bank. Click here to read more about Dr. Drew.

George Washington Carver — Developed over 300 products from the peanut plant including peanut butter, adhesives, rubber substitute and dyes. Click here to read more about Mr. Carver.

/paws/images used with permission from www.black-inventor.com.

Ashford University's mission is to provide accessible, affordable, innovative, high-quality, learning opportunities for our students who will be the future leaders, professionals and innovators of their communities. Ashford University would like to recognize these and other African American inventors who have contributed so much to improve the quality of life for people around the world through their innovation.