[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E137]]
        DR. MYRTIS POWELL HONORED AS A GREAT LIVING CINCINNATIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JEAN SCHMIDT

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 2006

  Mrs. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Myrtis Powell, 
Ph.D., an educator, civic leader and community activist, who will be 
formally honored as a Great Living Cincinnatian on February 16 by the 
Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce.
  The Chamber has bestowed this award on distinguished members of the 
community annually since 1967. Recipients of this prestigious award are 
chosen on the basis of professional achievement; community service; 
leadership; compassion; and vision. Past honorees have included Neil 
Armstrong, Dr. Albert Sabin and Charles Scripps.
  The eldest of 14 children, Dr. Powell was born in Evergreen, Alabama, 
where she earned her high school degree when she was just 16 years old. 
With a quest for knowledge and a passion for learning, Dr. Powell's 
life has been defined by her distinguished career in education.
  Dr. Powell moved to Cincinnati in 1955 to live with her aunt. While 
working full time in various secretarial and clerical positions, she 
climbed the ladder of higher education by taking evening and part-time 
classes at the University of Cincinnati. In 1969, she earned a 
bachelor's degree in Administrative Management; in 1974, she received a 
master's degree in Sociology; and in 1978, earned a doctorate in 
Sociology and Higher Education Administration. Dr. Powell also holds a 
certificate in Executive Management from the Harvard Business School.
  Throughout her life, Dr. Powell has blazed a trail for women and 
African-Americans. She is the first African-American to be an associate 
dean at the University of Cincinnati; the first African-American to 
hold an upper management position at Miami University, where during her 
tenure she improved the student affairs office and increased the 
minority community on campus; and the first African-American to serve 
as a program officer at the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation in New York 
City.
  She recently retired from her post as President and CEO of the 
Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, an organization that provides youth 
employment, mentoring, and tutoring for those in need.
  Dr. Powell remains active in the community, and serves on the boards 
of Mayerson Academy, Bethesda Hospital Inc., Union Central Life, the 
Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education, Art Links, CET, and the 
Greater Cincinnati Foundation. She has received many honors, including 
designation as a Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year, Talbot House 
Community Service Award, Glorying the Lion Awards from the Urban 
League, Miami's Alumni Association A.K. Morris Award, the YWCA Career 
Achievement Award, the Beacon of Light Award from Lighthouse Youth 
Services, and the Joseph A. Hall Award from the United Way and 
Community Chest.
  Dr. Powell resides in the Cincinnati suburb of Amberly. Her late 
husband, Lavatus Powell Jr., was a vice president at Procter & Gamble 
and a community leader. She has one daughter, three stepchildren and 
five grandchildren.
  All of us in the Cincinnati area congratulate Dr. Myrtis Powell on 
being named a Great Living Cincinnatian.

                          ____________________