A Northwest High School junior and member of the UNMC Community Academy is one of four women of color who received awards March 20 for their outstanding contributions and leadership. The awards were presented during the first University of Nebraska at Omaha Women of Color Awards Luncheon.
Award recipients were honored in four categories: business/entrepreneur, education, professional volunteer, and youth.
Women honored
The UNO Women of Color Youth Award was presented to Rosha Taylor, a junior at Northwest High School and member of UNMC’s Community Academy whose goal it is to become a pediatrician. The Education Award was presented to Gina Ponce, program manager, South Omaha Outreach, Bellevue University; the Business/Entrepreneurship Award was presented to Judy Pearl-Lee, president and owner of Frontier Bag Company, Inc.; and the Professional Volunteer Award was presented to Jamie Grimes Moore, vice-president, volunteer and community services, United Way of the Midlands.
Taylor: “I volunteer because it’s fun”
“I was totally surprised,” Taylor said about receiving the award. “When I do stuff, it’s really not a big thing to me. I volunteer because it’s fun — not to get noticed. I’m just a regular kid, who likes to stay busy.”
Forty-six women were nominated for the four awards.
Taylor’s nominator wrote that she exhibits outstanding leadership qualities in improving services for Omaha youth. She was cited for her outstanding involvement in school activities, youth organizations and church functions.
Taylor’s goals, activities
Taylor has accomplished much at the age of 17. Charles and the late Elizabeth Taylor adopted her at age 2. As a junior at Northwest High School, she takes a heavy load of math and science and plans to major in biology, working towards her goal to become a pediatrician.
Taylor’s school activities include Academy of Finance, Future Business Leaders of America, drill team, color guard, and the marching, concert and pep bands. She participates in Sunday school and assists with Children’s Church at the Salem Baptist Church. She also volunteers as a tutor at Saratoga Elementary School, is a receptionist for the League of Human Dignity and Mobility Options, and volunteers at the Omaha Children’s Museum, during voter registration, and in various roles at her high school.
She also is a life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and serves as a youth council secretary. Other leadership positions include first lieutenant in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, and a member of the African American and Hispanic American Student Task Force.
Jewell: Taylor “demonstrates leadership”
Lisa Jewell, director of the UNMC Community Academy, said Taylor is the type of student who stands out. “She demonstrates leadership and also is a member of the student advisory group,” she said. “She’s hard-working, creative, compassionate and helpful. All traits that will help her succeed.”
As award recipients, the four women will be invited to participate in community speaking events and to serve as role models and mentors for various university-related programs and activities.