Helen S. Faison 2004 Honoree

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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.

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."

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