Thurmond Woodard at ALC 2006
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the Avoice Project join the many friends and associates of Thurmond Woodard in mourning his death. Thurmond Woodard, Vice President of Global Diversity, died on April 4, 2007 at the age of 58. He had waged a courageous battle with cancer since 2005.
Thurmond had been a member of the CBCF Board for the past three years. He was the driving force behind the AVOICE virtual library that is a major resource on the history of African Americans in the U.S. Congress. Despite his illness, he continually supported the project and lent the resources of his office to ensuring its success. He was like a proud parent when he attended the launch of the website in September 2006.
In a note to Dell’s employees, Michael Dell, Chairman and CEO of Dell, Inc. wrote, “His sensible counsel, generosity of spirit, tireless dedication and optimism were appreciated and admired by all he touched. His passing leaves a void impossible to fill.” Dell will endow a scholarship in his name for students of color and students from disadvantaged economic backgrounds.
We are eternally grateful that our paths crossed with Thurmond’s and that we had an opportunity to experience his leadership and generosity. Our prayers go out to his wife and children, and to his Dell family, among them our Avoice/Dell team lead, James Page.