February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of the achievements of Black Americans and a time to recognize and reflect on the accomplishments, struggles, successes, and contributions Black figures have had, not just in our country but throughout the world.
Today, the Edison Public Library recognizes the late Colin Luther Powell, an American statesman, diplomat, and army officer who, from 2001 to 2005, served as the 65th—and first Black—United States Secretary of State.
Powell was born April 5, 1937 in New York City to parents who immigrated from Jamaica. He grew up in the South Bronx and attended public school before going on to earn a bachelor's degree in geology from the City College of New York. There, he also joined the Reserves Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and, upon his graduation in 1958, was commissioned as a second lieutenant.
Powell, a Vietnam veteran, served with the military for 35 years, holding numerous command and staff positions and rising to the rank of four-star general. In 1989, he was named Commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command and until 1993, served as Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman—the highest military position in the United States Department of Defense. During this time, Powell oversaw 28 crises, including the invasion of Panama and Operation Desert Storm, and garnered numerous U.S. and foreign military awards and decorations, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal, and the Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award.
Powell's experience in military matters made him a very popular figure with both Democrats and Republicans and, in 1992, he was put forth as a potential Democratic vice president nominee. Powell went on to declare himself a Republican and was touted as a possible opponent of Bill Clinton in 1996 but declined. The following year, he founded America’s Promise and that same year established the Colin L. Powell Center for Leadership and Service. In 2000, Powell was considered as a potential Republican candidate for president but declined and went on to endorse George W. Bush and, the following year, was appointed Secretary of State.
In his personal life, Powell and his late wife Alma Johnson were parents to Michael, Linda, and Annemarie. He also penned two books, the autobiography My American Journey along with It Worked for Me: Lessons in Life and Leadership as well as founded America’s Promise and the Colin L. Powell Center for Leadership and Service. Powell passed away on October 18, 2021, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
To learn more about Colin Powell's professional and personal life, head over to the Edison Public Library’s website and check out some of these titles available.
