Congratulations to Cora Marrett
I’d like to extend to Cora B. Marrett my enthusiastic congratulations, as well as the congratulations of everyone here at the Social Science Research Council, for the honor of the American Sociological Association’s (ASA) prestigious Cox-Johnson-Frazier Award. Like everyone at the SSRC, I applaud the ASA for recognizing her enormous contributions both to the field of sociology and to the ongoing project of expanding the reach and inclusiveness of our knowledge institutions. In the tradition of Dubois, Johnson, Cox and Frazier, Marrett’s work has long enhanced the stature of sociology and the social sciences – by advancing intellectual inquiry with high standards of rigor and insight; by advocacy, policy and persuasion; and by making it clear that racism has no place in public or academic life.
I am of course especially grateful for Marrett’s work as Chair of the Board of Directors of the SSRC, and also her participation in several of our scientific projects. It was inspiring to see her gentle but firm leadership at close range (and I can testify that few people can run a more effective meeting). I also join the larger academic community in appreciation for her labors for the University of Wisconsin, the University of Massachusetts, Western Michigan University, The National Science Foundation, the Russell Sage Foundation, the United Negro College Fund, the American Sociological Association and dozens of other public, academic and civic-minded organizations, where you consistently demonstrated wit, passion and wisdom. Of course, her personal ebullience is a tonic for all who meet her. However, in the arc of her life’s work it is undoubtedly her insight into what moves people and institutions that most commands admiration.
Marrett’s grasp of what it takes to transform existing institutions is remarkable, and she has become adept at persuading policy makers of all stripes to support and invest in initiatives that expand the academic opportunities of historically underserved communities. This work has always based on solid social scientific research. Indeed, it is the logical extension of her academic work on racism, power, social class and ethnic relations, but it is also testimony to those signature qualities that I came to know and admire during her tenure with the Board of SSRC: patience, commonsense and a pragmatic passion for making the world a better place. All of these are qualities which make her an extraordinary person, as well as a superlative contributor to her profession and beyond it to the larger public.
For this and many other reasons, I can think of no one more deserving of the Cox-Johnson-Frazier Award. So, from me and all of Cora B. Marrett’s friends at the SSRC, congratulations!
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