Jacqueline E. A. Lawson, co-founder of the Black Heritage Society of Washington State (BHS), has been named the 2019 recipient of an Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) for her lifetime achievement and dedication to further the knowledge of African American history. Lawson is also co-founder of Seattle’s Black Genealogy Research Group.
AASLH’s Leadership in History Awards, in its 74th year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history. The award, initiated to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout the United States, will be made at a special banquet during the 2019 AASLH Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA, Friday, August 30.
“Individuals who most deserve accolades for their dedicated service, tireless commitment and determined efforts will often profess that they have done nothing exceptional or out of the ordinary,” said Stephanie Johnson-Toliver, BHS president. “Jacqueline Lawson exemplifies such a person. Her love for family, community, and the history that binds us are what influence and guide her passion for the research, documentation and writing to enrich our understanding of why African American history is everyone’s history.”
The AASLH Leadership in History Awards not only honor significant achievement in the field of state and local history, but also bring public recognition of the opportunities for small and large organizations, institutions, and programs to make contributions in this arena.
Founded in 1977, the Black Heritage Society of Washington State is dedicated to the acquisition, preservation and exhibition of materials relating to the history and culture of African-Americans in the State of Washington.
