Dr. Marisela Martinez-Cola, an Associate Professor in the College's Sociology Department, has been awarded the 2024 Anna Julia Cooper Award by the Sociology of Education Section at the American Sociological Association (ASA) Annual Meeting. This distinguished award, established in 2022, recognizes outstanding research and service efforts addressing racial equity in sociology.
The Anna Julia Cooper Award alternates annually between early career recognition and lifetime achievement. This year, Dr. Martinez-Cola was honored for her exceptional contributions to the field, including her groundbreaking research on educational equality. Her book, The Bricks before Brown: The Chinese American, Native American, and Mexican Americans' Struggle for Educational Equality, was selected for a Book Forum at the ASA Annual Meeting, one of only nine books to receive this distinction.
The Bricks before Brown explores the lesser-known legal battles and educational challenges faced by marginalized communities before the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. By illuminating the struggles of Chinese American, Native American, and Mexican American communities, Dr. Martinez-Cola brings a more inclusive narrative to the history of educational equity in the United States.
Dr. Martinez-Cola's recognition with the Anna Julia Cooper Award highlights the importance of her work in pushing the boundaries of sociological inquiry. Her commitment to addressing racial inequities in education and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities exemplifies the very essence of this award. The Sociology of Education Section's choice to honor her continues the legacy of Anna Julia Cooper, an influential Black scholar and advocate for racial and gender equality.
This award marks yet another significant achievement in Dr. Martinez-Cola’s already distinguished career, and her work will undoubtedly continue to inspire scholars and advocates in the pursuit of racial justice within education and beyond.