Local News
Voice co-owner Adams-Green dies
Crewe native helped to found newspapers with her husband
Saturday, Jun 23, 2007 - 12:08 AM Updated: 12:36 AM
By ELLEN ROBERTSON
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Jack Green was thinking about establishing a newspaper with an
African-American voice "to introduce the minorities to the
majority and the majority to the minorities." His wife wasn't
convinced his idea would fly.
Nevertheless, Ruby Adams-Green became co-owner and secretary-treasurer
and assumed all the administrative duties for The Voice Newspaper
Group, now with editions in the greater Richmond metro area and
in Tidewater.
Three years after The Voice's 1987 startup, she had changed her
mind. "I wouldn't have a career if it wasn't for her," Jack
Green said.
Mrs. Adams-Green, active at the paper until about eight years
ago, died Tuesday in a Farmville hospital.
The 64-year-old Crewe resident had been on dialysis three days
a week for about 14 years. She also had battled ovarian cancer,
liver and vertebrae problems, diabetes and high blood pressure.
"When anyone has talked about her, they mention three words: courage,
strength and character," said her daughter, Jackie A. Green-August of
Crewe.
A funeral will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at First Nottoway
Baptist Church in Crewe. Burial will be on the couple's property
behind their home in Crewe.
"We did it together," her husband of 45 years said. "When you
read the paper you see some of Ruby's philosophy. You don't see the hatred,
just the issues that concern all of us."
Mrs. Adams-Green was proudest of "watching the young people
we hired becoming fine young adults, which is partly the purpose
of the paper. She always made sure that they had someone to talk
to," Green said.
A Crewe native, she had been the love of Jack Green's life since
he first laid eyes on her retrieving mail on a country road when
they were about 10 years old. She left the University of Kentucky
after two years to marry him in 1962 in Texas, while he was in
the Air Force.
After Green was discharged in 1968, they lived in Hampton, where
their son, Adrian, died with a brain tumor when he was 9.
The Greens moved in 1972 to Crewe. "We built our own house,
brick by brick, with the help of friends. We'd get 1,000 bricks
every other week," Green said.
They owned Green Clothiers for 12 years, until she got sick.
Mrs. Adams-Green, a former officer in the Nottoway Branch of
the NAACP, helped push for black principals in the Nottoway schools,
black cashiers in the Nottoway banks, more black male teachers
countywide and voter registration.
Business Organization Welcomes Dr. Newsome
Featured Photo: Dr. Marcus J. Newsome addressed the Chesterfield Chamber
of Commerce at its monthly luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 11.
by Elizabeth Farina, Midlothian Exchange.com
Oct 17, 2006
efarina@midlothianexchange.com
Featured in October 19, 2006 print edition
Using humor, wit and an extensive background in education, the new Chesterfield
County superintendent Dr. Marcus J. Newsome addressed the Chesterfield Chamber
of Commerce business members at the organization's monthly luncheon on Wednesday,
Oct. 11.
"I often say I really haven't graduated kindergarten," Dr. Newsome
began. "My wife is a kindergarten teacher and I hear about five-year-olds
every night. It keeps me grounded about the issues our children face," he
added.
Only seven business days into his new role as the superintendent of the state's
fourth largest public school system, Dr. Newsome outlined several key initiatives.
A new series called "School Talk," which will be a public forum held
in different county school divisions, will begin in November. "We will continue
to listen to what citizens have to say," Dr. Newsome said.
Another concern, which has received national media attention over the last two
months, is school safety. "Children need a safe environment to learn in
and we look to improve on school security and safety. It is important to protect
children from violence and provide a safe, orderly, nurturing learning environment," he
added.
Dr. Newsome is familiar with school safety issues. While working for Prince George's
County Public Schools in Maryland during the 2002 sniper spree of Lee Boyd Malvo
and John Allen Muhammad, he witnessed first-hand how educators at the school
united against fears. "One of our students was shot by the snipers -
the teachers formed a human chain between the school building and the buses," Dr.
Newsome recalled.
The learning curve from that and other instances emphasized the importance of
what safety issues today's students face and how educational administrators,
faculty and staff need to be proactive in the ever-changing modern world. "Each
child deserves at least six and a half hours a day of a happy childhood," he
said.
Expectations are high in the classroom as well. Students are expected to complete
one of four academic achievements: either AP college level courses; International
Baccalaureate courses; success in dual enrollment, which is a partnership between
schools and a community college providing students an opportunity to obtain college
credit from a certified school teacher; or industry certification.
College preparation is not the only option for students today, but students do
need to be prepared for the modern workforce. "There are many opportunities
for young people to engage in lifelong learning," Dr. Newsome said.
In his closing remarks to the business community, Dr. Newsome encouraged all
to be engaged when Congress considers reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind
(NCLB) Act. "It is a law and a law is a mandate - I support the premise
schools should be held accountable and have highly qualified teachers," he
said.
Dr. Newsome has met with elected and government officials about recommendations
for improving the NCLB. "It's a good law that's broken. It dictates the
type of education our children are getting," he said.
One example is the Standards of Learning (SOL), which focuses on students' minimal
competencies. Some businesses have commented about how it still does not prepare
young people for a career, stated Dr. Newsome. "From competence to excellence -
we need to prepare students for the 21st century's global economy," he said.
Following the meeting, Dr. Newsome answered a few questions regarding parents'
roles in assisting the schools and the symbiotic partnership between schools
and businesses. Dr. Newsome hopes to initiate a business summit at some point
similar to those he initiated and launched in other school districts. "It's
important for businesses to support schools and schools to support businesses," he
said.
From Dr. Newsome's perspective, if every parent brought home the state's citizen
leadership program of seven attributes such as respect and responsibility, schools
would avoid many of the challenges they face. "It starts at home. Be involved
at school, the PTA, attend meetings organized by staff and administration of
school," he said. "I founded the Family University Network and hope
to establish something similar here. It's an opportunity for educators, parents
and citizens to support children."
Want to know more about the county's new superintendent?
Art Heinz, president of Chamber of Commerce and Nationwide, introduced
speaker Dr. Marcus J. Newsome as follows:
During the past 30 years, Dr. Marcus J. Newsome has established an exemplary record serving children as a teacher, building administrator, curriculum writer and central office administrator. In October 2006, he became superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools, the fourth largest school division in the state, with approximately 58,000 students.
Dr. Newsome came to Chesterfield from Newport News Public Schools, where he spent three years as superintendent. He drafted and implemented a Blueprint for Excellence- Communities Committed to Learning, a dynamic six-year strategic plan for systemic reform and instituted created and innovative programs that earned the district national recognition.
Prior to joining Newport News, Dr. Newsome worked for Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland, the 17th largest school division in the country. There, he served as a regional executive director, director of student support programs, elementary school principal and middle school assistant principal. Dr. Newsome also has worked as a curriculum writer, administrative intern, dean of students and teacher for District of Columbia Public Schools.
Dr. Newsome holds doctorate degrees in Educational Leadership from Bowie State University in Maryland and in Religious Education from International Seminary in Plymouth, Fla., a Master's degree from Bowie State and a bachelor's degree from Elizabeth City State University.
Dr. Newsome also serves or has served as co-chair of the Virginia Governor Elect's Education Transition Policy Committee; chair of the Virginia Superintendent's Region II Study Group, chair of the College of William & Mary School University Research Network; and Harvard University Urban Superintendent Associate in Practice. He also is a member of the Association of American School Administrators, National School Board Association, Virginia School Board Association, Virginia Association of School Superintendents, United Way, Boys and Girls Club and Boy Scouts.
He is the recipient of numerous awards including the FBI Community Service Award, NAACP Living Legend's Award and Presidential Citation from the National Association for Equality Opportunity in Higher Education. Dr. Newsome is married to a school teacher and is the father of three children.
VIRGINIA STATE CONFERENCE
NAACP
72ND ANNUAL STATE CONVENTION
DICK GREGORY, & JULIAN BOND
HEADLINE NAACP CONVENTION!
Dick Gregory is coming to Richmond! The award winning activist,
author, comedian and world-renowned humanitarian will keynote
the Freedom Fund Banquet during the Virginia State Conference
NAACP’s 72nd Annual State Convention on Saturday, October
27, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Richmond West Hotel.
Gregory will bring his brand of political education, sprinkled
with comedy and with the wisdom of an author of best selling
books. Gregory has been honored with awards from the National
NAACP, SCLC, Trumpet Awards, Stellar Awards and a host of organizations
and institutions. His work for the liberation of oppressed
people has spanned 5-decades.
Julian Bond, Chairman of the Board of the National NAACP will
return to Richmond. This will be his first visit since 1999. He
will keynote the Leadership Luncheon on Saturday, October 27th
at 12:00 noon. Mr. Bond is known as the titular head of
the Association. Also scheduled to appear is Ms. Esther
Vassar, Chairwoman of the Virginia ABC Board and has held many
other governmental posts. Ms. Vassar, will keynote the Thursday,
October 25, 2007, Oliver W. Hill Luncheon. Ms. Vassar also
serves as the President of the Oliver W. Hill Foundation.
Their presentation will be a part of the NAACP State Convention
October 26-28, 2007 also at the Sheraton Richmond West Hotel. Delegates,
Officers, friends and guests will gather to set policy for the
State Conference for 2007 and beyond. For more information
contact the State NAACP Office at (804) 321-5678.
The VirginiaState Conference was founded by
the Honorable Oliver W. Hill, Esquire in 1935 to coordinate the activities
of the over 100-local units. Current Executive Director, King Salim Khalfani,
has served at the State Office for 17-years, the last nine as Executive Director.
