Adelaide Sanford Biography Favorites Color Purple Food Vegetables Quote Hate cannot drive away hate; only love can, and darkness cannot drive away darkness; only light can. Time of Year Fall Vacation Spot Africa

Afrocentric educator Adelaide L. Sanford has impacted the lives of students at every level of New York City's school system through her work in shaping educational policy. Born in Brooklyn on November 27, 1925, Sanford began her career teaching primary grades in New York before rising to the position of vice chancellor of the State University of New York's Board of Regents.

Sanford studied at Brooklyn College, where she earned a B.Ed. in 1947. She received her M.Ed. from Wellesley College three years later. From 1950 to 1965, Sanford taught in New York's elementary schools before being hired as an assistant principal. Sanford earned her Ph.D. from Fordham University in 1967 and later became principal at Crispus Attucks School in Brooklyn, earning her an outstanding reputation of promoting excellence and achievement at an inner-city school.

In 1986, Sanford won unanimous election to the Board of Regents of the State University of New York. As chairperson of the Regents' Committee on Low Performing Schools, she played an instrumental role in shaping new educational policies that sought to close the gap among schools in student performance. Though outspoken and known for her African-style dress and Ebonics commentary, Sanford has never wavered in her concern for the welfare of New York's students, particularly those at low-performing schools. While serving as a regent, Sanford has also taught at Baruch College and Fordham University.

Many honors and awards have been bestowed upon Sanford. She received the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's humanitarian award and distinguished alumna awards from Wellesley College and Brooklyn College. She has played an instrumental role in creating the John Henrick Clark meetinghouse. Sanford has also served on the board of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and as a national advisory board for multicultural education. Sanford has been married to her husband, Jay, since 1955. They have two children and two grandchildren.

Sanford was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on September 19, 2003.