The City of Pittsburgh and state of Pennsylvania have
benefited from the talents of an educational trailblazer for half a century.
From her rise from teacher to deputy superintendent, Dr. Helen S. Faison
has shaped and changed the lives of thousands of students, teachers and
parents.
During more than 43 years of service with the Pittsburgh
School District, Faison was one of the first African-American teachers
and the first female and African-American high school principal.
Her appointment as deputy superintendent was the highest
administrative position ever held by a female in the school district.
Her visibility in this position inspired other women
to aspire to leadership roles in education.
Currently, Faison is the director of the Pittsburgh Teachers
Institute and distinguished visiting professor and education department chair
at Chatham College. She has the awesome task of helping to produce high-caliber
educators-like herself.
The true testament of Faison's accomplishments are the successes
of her former students and those she has mentored. Many of these students, under
her watchful eye, have evolved into prominent citizens.
"Since you are
even now becoming what you
will be, decide carefully what you will do today."
Faison earned three degrees from the University of Pittsburgh:
bachelor's degree, master's degree in education and a doctorate. Also, Muskingum
College awarded her an honorary doctor of humane letters.
To honor her long and distinguished record of professional
and civic service, the University of Pittsburgh presented Faison with the Distinguished
Alumnae Award. In addition, the university established the Helen S. Faison Undergraduate
Scholarship Program for African-American Students and established fellowships
to support students pursuing doctoral degrees in education.
She has also been honored by other community organizations,
including the Council of Great Schools, which presented the Queen Smith Award;
the Pittsburgh branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People (NAACP), which bestowed the Homer Brown Award; the League of Women Voters,
which gave the Good Government Award; the Western Pennsylvania Historical Society,
which conferred the Education Award; and Carlow College, which honored Faison
with the Women of Spirit Award.
Faison imparts the same wisdom to today's youth that she has
shared for decades: "Since you are even now becoming what you will be,
decide carefully what you will do today."
