Lois Rice facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lois Rice
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| Born |
Lois Ann Dickson
February 28, 1933 |
| Died | January 4, 2017 (aged 83) |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) |
| Spouse(s) | Emmett J. Rice (divorced) Alfred B. Fitt (1978–1992, his death) |
| Children | Susan Rice E. John Rice Jr. |
Lois Ann Dickson Fitt Rice (February 28, 1933 – January 4, 2017) was an amazing American leader. She was a top business executive, a smart scholar, and an expert in education policy. Many people called her the "mother of the Pell Grant". This was because she worked hard to help create this important program.
The Pell Grant helps students pay for college. Lois Rice was also a national vice president for the College Board. This organization helps students prepare for and get into college. She was one of the first African-American women to serve on the boards of big U.S. companies. She also advised President Bill Clinton on important national security matters. For many years, she studied education policy at the Brookings Institution.
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Early Life and Learning
Lois Ann Fitt Rice was born in Portland, Maine. Her birthday was February 28, 1933. Her parents came from Jamaica. Her father worked as a janitor, and her mother was a maid. They encouraged Lois to get a good education.
Lois graduated from Portland High School in 1950. She was a top student. She was the yearbook editor and student council president. She was also the valedictorian, meaning she had the highest grades. People in her class thought she was "Most Likely to Succeed."
She went on to Radcliffe College at Harvard University. In 1954, she earned a bachelor's degree. She studied history and literature. Lois was a very bright student and was chosen for Phi Beta Kappa. This is a special honor society for smart students. She also earned special degrees from Brown University and Bowdoin College.
Helping Others: Public Service
The College Board and Pell Grants
In 1959, Lois Rice started working for the College Board. This group helps students get ready for college. She became an executive there in 1972. She worked hard to create a new program. It was called the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant.
This program later became known as the Pell Grant. It helps many students pay for college in the United States. Lois Rice was a major supporter of the Pell Grant. She talked to many leaders to make it happen. Because of her efforts, she was known as the "mother of the Pell Grant."
Clay Pell IV said that the program might not have existed without her. He also said it would not have lasted without her strong support. After the Pell Grant started, she stayed at the College Board. She was its national vice president from 1973 to 1981. During this time, she kept promoting the Pell program.
Other Important Work
Before joining the College Board, Lois Rice helped students with scholarships. She led counseling services for the National Scholarship Service. In 1978, she continued to lead the College Board's policy research office. This office was in Washington, D.C..
She also worked with Madeleine Albright on school boards. Madeleine Albright later became a very famous diplomat. Lois Rice joined the Brookings Institution in 1992. This is a place where experts study important issues. She led studies on how the government helps higher education. She also worked to bring more diversity to public policy groups.
For many years, she was an expert on economic studies at Brookings. She focused on education policy. She also led a group called the Think Tank Consortium. She wrote many papers about government education policy.
Working in Business
Lois Rice was one of the first African-American women to serve on the boards of big U.S. companies. Being on a board means she helped guide these companies. She served on the boards of companies like Firestone, McGraw-Hill, and Control Data Corporation.
She also helped non-profit groups. She was a trustee for the Urban Institute. This group studies city issues. She also helped the Center for Naval Analyses. This group studies naval operations. President Bill Clinton chose her to be on his Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. This board gives advice on important national security matters.
She also served on boards for UNUM and Fleet Bank. She was part of the Carnegie Council on Higher Education. At Harvard University, she led a committee. This committee looked at the African American studies program. She was also a senior vice president at Control Data Corporation. She helped the company work with federal and state governments.
Her Family Life
Lois Rice was married to Emmett J. Rice. He was the second African-American governor of the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve is like the central bank of the U.S. They had two children: E. John Rice Jr. and Susan Rice. Susan Rice later became a very important diplomat.
The family lived in Shepherd Park in Washington, D.C.. Lois and Emmett later divorced. On January 7, 1978, Lois married Alfred B. Fitt. He passed away in 1992. She had four stepchildren with him: Cathleen, Benjamin, Craig, and Ann. Lois Rice passed away on January 4, 2017. She died in a hospital in Washington, D.C., from pneumonia and cancer.
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Lois Dickson Rice
