Alma Powell

Alma Powell
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Name	Alma Powell
Birth name	Alma Vivian Johnson
Birth date	27 October 1937
Birth place	Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Spouse	Colin Powell (m. 1962; died 2021)
Children	Michael Powell, Linda Powell, Annemarie Powell
Education	Fisk University (BA), Emerson College (MA)
Known for	Philanthropy, education advocacy, chair of America's Promise Alliance

Alma Powell. An American philanthropist and education advocate, she is widely recognized for her long tenure as chair of the youth-focused organization America's Promise Alliance. The wife of former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell, she has maintained a distinguished independent career focused on children's welfare, military family support, and literacy. Her leadership has been honored with numerous awards, including the prestigious Woodrow Wilson Award for public service.

Early life and education

Alma Vivian Johnson was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and was raised in a family that valued education and civic engagement. She attended Fisk University, a historically black university in Nashville, Tennessee, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Following her undergraduate studies, she pursued a Master of Arts in audiology from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. Her academic background in communication sciences laid a foundation for her later advocacy work focused on child development and education.

Career

Professionally trained as a speech pathologist and audiologist, Alma Powell initially worked in that field, including positions within the Boston Public Schools system and at various military hospitals. Her career trajectory shifted significantly toward organizational leadership and philanthropy as her public profile grew. She served on the boards of several prominent institutions, including the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Board of Governors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Her most defining role began in 1997 when she helped found and became chair of America's Promise Alliance, a coalition dedicated to improving the lives of young people across the United States.

Personal life

In 1962, she married then-Army officer Colin Powell at the Episcopal Church of the Advent in her hometown. As a military spouse, she moved frequently, supporting her husband's career through postings at places like Fort Benning and during his service in the Vietnam War. The couple had three children: son Michael, who later served as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, and daughters Linda Powell and Annemarie Powell. The family resided primarily in Northern Virginia, and she was a steadfast partner during her husband's tenures as National Security Advisor and United States Secretary of State.

Philanthropy and advocacy

Alma Powell's philanthropic work is deeply intertwined with her advocacy for youth and families. As chair of America's Promise Alliance, she worked alongside founding chairman Colin Powell and succeeded him, focusing on high school graduation rates and providing resources for at-risk youth. She has been a vocal proponent for programs supporting military children and spouses, often collaborating with organizations like the United Service Organizations and the Military Child Education Coalition. Her advocacy also extends to literacy, having served as an honorary chair for Reading Is Fundamental, one of the largest children's literacy nonprofits in the United States.

Awards and honors

In recognition of her dedicated public service, Alma Powell has received numerous accolades. She was awarded the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. She has also been honored with the Theodore Roosevelt Award from the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Furthermore, she holds several honorary doctorate degrees from institutions including George Washington University, Fordham University, and her alma mater, Fisk University.

Category:1937 births Category:American philanthropists Category:People from Birmingham, Alabama Category:Fisk University alumni Category:Emerson College alumni