Nevergold Receives State's MLK Humanitarian Award

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Barbara Nevergold, Ph.D., is one of five individuals to be honored this year by the State of New York with a 2007 Dr. Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award.

The award is one of the state's highest honors for humanitarian service and pays tribute to New Yorkers who have made major contributions to human and civil rights. Award recipients are determined by a very competitive process.

Nevergold is co-founder with Peggy Brooks-Bertram, Dr.P.H., Ph.D., of the Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education on Women at the University at Buffalo. The institute conducts research on the issues affecting women of color and develops educational programs to enhance the quality of life for women and their communities. 

Part of the institute is the "Uncrowned Queens" project, which has documented the contributions of African-American women in the Western New York area.  The Uncrowned Queens project is an original, innovative, and effective means of expanding knowledge of the role of African-American women in American society.  This pioneer project has received national attention and recognition.

Nevergold was nominated for the award by Gladys Diji, affirmative action officer in the Buffalo Psychiatric Center. Her nomination was supported by Madeline Scott, former president of the Afro-American Historical Society of the Niagara Frontier, Inc.; Tom Dodson, executive director of the Buffalo Psychiatric Center, and Sue Joffe, director of public information/volunteers at the center.

Nevergold's volunteer service, says Diji, "encompasses numerous public and non-for-profit organizations and communities.  Her visionary leadership spans such important topics as cultural diversity, teen pregnancy prevention, reproductive rights, the African-American family and advocacy in the public school system."

 Nevergold was recognized as well for her work as past president and current member of the Board of Visitors at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center, where, says, Diji, "her leadership has been critical to a wide-range of vital issues, including recipient and staff safety, appropriate staffing levels, quality reviews and community advocacy for mental health."

She is the author of several papers, including "Corporate Punishment:  Domestic Violence Goes to Work" and "Doing the Pan: the African American Experience at the Pan American Exposition." 

She previously has received awards from the local chapters of national organizations, among them the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, the National Organization for Women and the Black Educators Association.