FREDERICKSBURG, Va., February 12, 2008 - GEICO opened its Black History Month observance with a tribute to Dr. Carter Woodson, a native of Virginia, who became a preeminent African-American historian and scholar in the 1920s.
In February GEICO will also host an African-American leadership panel, a presentation by the U.S. National Slavery Museum and others, and book displays and reading lists.
Nancy Pierce, regional vice president for GEICO, opened the month-long observance at a meeting with associates to discuss the life and times of Dr. Woodson, considered the father of Black History Month.
"We know he had a keen understanding of history and its value," said Pierce. "There is a well known thought that is attributed to him. 'Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.' We think that's what urged him on."
Latoria Parker, a member of GEICO's Diversity Committee said, "The celebration of Dr. Carter G. Woodson is important because without him we may not have an established Black History month or any history of African Americans to study. Dr. Woodson noticed the lack of documented African American history and took it upon himself to establish the Study of Negro Life and History now known as The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History."
Last week, GEICO's Diversity Committee held an African American Leadership Panel in which members of management gave tips about leadership to associates. Next on GEICO's Black History Month event schedule is a visit from Dr. Gerald Foster, of the African American Slavery Museum on Wed., Feb. 13.
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the fourth-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States. It provides auto insurance coverage for more than 8 million policyholders and insures more than 13 million vehicles. For more information, go to www.geico.com.
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