Best of CASE District V Award
 

Institution: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Title of entry: The Legend of Opal C. Bailey

About this entry: The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan is a nonprofit organization independent of the University. Our LEAD Scholarship Program supports exceptional, already-admitted students as they achieve a world-class education.

When the Opal C. Bailey LEAD Scholarship Fund was established by members of her sorority, we were immediately intrigued and started asking the natural question: "Who is Opal C. Bailey?"

We soon learned that Opal C. Bailey was not only the second-ever homecoming at the University of Michigan, but that the whole event was canceled the next year due to controversy and we were immediately hooked. We knew there was a fascinating story to be told, though we didn't anticipate how moving it would be and how Bailey's story would stand the test of time and mean so much to current students.

Bailey's story is one in a long history of racism and discrimination. But her perseverance in the face of adversity is inspiration to us all.