Pearls of Wisdom from a Woman of Color, Courage and Commitment: Pearlie Craft Dove

Book excerpt: As a student of history and education particularly, at historically Black colleges and universities, the evolution of professional education and the requirements for preparation in teacher education have produced critical thoughts and complementary text. It would seem that the chapters identified for publication in this volume from the ideals of Pearlie C. Dove should join the list of critical volumes for the ages in teacher education. This editor takes pride in knowing that his undergraduate degree came through the preparation program developed under the leadership of Dr. Pearlie C. Dove. When I considered that I was required to read about Mortimer Adler, John Dewey, and George S. Counts, Horace Mann Bond and Carter G. Woodson in my teacher preparation program as a history education major, the contents of this volume seemingly make my educational journey comprehensible. Mainly, this books chapters enabled me to realize why great educators can produce a legacy through their body of work for generations. Perhaps, the reader of these volumes from 1960-2014 can acquire an appreciation for the impact of one professor-administrator on a teacher education program, a community of learners, a higher education institution, a sorority, a faith-based institution, and a future professor-administrator. I believe that Pearlie Dove invoked a presence that inspired generations of learners, communities, stakeholders, the profession of teacher education and at ninety-two years of age a beacon of hope for those charting through the turbulent waters of educational change in the twenty-first century.