Shirley Green-Reese of Americus receives national honor

AMERICUS — Americus native Shirley Green-Reese was one of three who received recently the National Black Caucus of State Legislators’ 2018 State Nation Builder Award.

She was nominated for the award by the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus late last year. The award was presented at the NBCSL’s 42nd annual legislative conference in New York City.

For more than 20 years, NBCSL has recognized the achievements of individuals at the national and state levels by presenting them with Nation Builder awards. The ceremony is an opportunity for legislative members to pay tribute to someone special in each state and highlight his or her contributions in a national forum.

A total of three individuals were honored as the year’s State Nation Builders and recognized during NBCSL’s awards ceremony.

“It is the greatest honor I have received in my lifetime,” Green-Reese said. “All (of my professional and community service accomplishments) went under consideration.”

Due to the flu, Green-Reese was unable to attend the ceremony to receive the award.

“I am honored and pleased and thankful (for the recognition) even though I was not there,” she said. “(Moving forward), it will definitely be a motivator for me to continue the work (I have done) in the past.

“I want to offer special gratitude to the legislative caucus and thanks to the national caucus (for the recognition).”

Green-Reese has served in several academic and administrative roles in higher education and professional organizations, from marketing and fundraising to professorships. She is a graduate of Savannah State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in education, later earning a master’s degree from Georgia State University and a doctorate in philosophy from Florida State University.

In 1993, Green-Reese became the first female Intercollegiate Athletic Director in Georgia and a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Management Council for five consecutive years. She has published and conducted research projects concerning teacher job satisfaction, job stress, childhood obesity and the future challenges facing collegiate athletics.

In 1991, Green-Reese researched, developed and facilitated an undergraduate recreational specialist program for the Albany State University Department of Health and Physical Education, which is still offered at the institution.

She has remained involved in numerous civic, academic, professional and community-related activities and boards. Until recently, she was a member of the Americus City Council. She is currently president of the Youth Academic and Enrichment Program of Americus-Sumter County, a new organization formed from the Boys & Girls Club of Americus-Sumter County.

Her professional memberships are the National Health Alliance Association, National Minority Health Affairs Association and the National Association of Collegiate Women Administrators. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and the Order of Eastern Star, Chapter No. 26.

Green-Reese is a surviving member of the Leesburg Stockade Girls, a group of 15 girls ranging in ages 12-15 who were arrested for peacefully protesting for justice and equality during the 1963 civil rights movement in Americus.

Jennifer ParksJennifer Parks