February 8th 2024.
A new scholarship program has recently been introduced by the CDC Foundation on February 7, called "Voices Today for Change Tomorrow." This program is specifically designed for the descendants of Black men who were involved in the infamous U.S. Public Health Service Study of Untreated Syphilis at Tuskegee, as reported by Essence. This study, which spanned over 40 years from 1932 to 1972, is a dark and troubling chapter in the history of U.S. medicine. The victims of the Tuskegee Syphilis study endured severe ethical violations, and it is important to acknowledge and honor their legacy.
The CDC Foundation has set a goal to raise a $5 million endowment to support this scholarship program. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has already contributed $1 million towards this goal. The funds raised will not only support the current Voices For Our Fathers Legacy Foundation scholarships, but also offer several $100,000 scholarships annually to the descendants of the study's participants.
Dr. Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation, stated, "By making a commitment to honor the legacy of these men, we are working to provide a stronger foundation of support for the next generation to build change. These scholarships are intended to amplify the voices of the next generation." President of Voices For Our Fathers Legacy Foundation, Lillie Head, added, "Our purpose is to transform the legacy of the longest-lasting, non-therapeutic study in U.S. medical history from shame and trauma to honor and triumph."
The scholarships have been praised by CDC Director Mandy Cohen, who said, "It seeks to uplift the descendants of the Untreated Syphilis Study at Tuskegee and takes steps toward rectifying a difficult part of our public health history." The Milbank Memorial Fund, which recently acknowledged its role in the study in 2021, has made the first institutional commitment to the scholarship fund in 2022. They have also pledged to provide administrative support for the Voices For Our Fathers Legacy Foundation and the scholarship program. In addition to the annual scholarships, the fund encourages recipients to attend historically Black colleges or universities.
This scholarship program aims to honor the victims of the Tuskegee Syphilis study and their descendants by providing them with educational opportunities. It is a step towards acknowledging and rectifying a painful part of our public health history. As we move forward, it is important to remember and honor those who have been affected by this dark chapter in our past. The CDC Foundation's scholarship program is a meaningful and impactful way to do just that.
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