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A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
FOUNDED BY THE GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER OF
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON

Wisdom from Booker T. Washington

"Tell them that the sacrifice was not
in vain. Tell them that by way of the
shop, the field, the skilled hand, habits
of thrift and economy, by way of
industrial school and college, we are
coming. We are crawling up, working
up, yea, bursting up. Often through
oppression, unjust discrimination, and
prejudice, but through them we are
coming up, and with proper habits,
intelligence, and property, there is no
power on earth that can permanently
stay our progress."

(From his acceptance speech upon receiving
honorary Master of Arts degree from Harvard
University in 1896.)

Sarah O'Neal Rush aka
Sarah Washington O'Neal Rush is the
great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington, and
the founder and executive director of
Booker T. Washington Empowerment Network, Inc.

MISSION STATEMENT
Espousing the teachings of
Booker T. Washington on
education, leadership,
excellence, personal
responsibility, and character
building, BTWEN seeks to
help inner city youth and
their families rise above
difficult circumstances,
empowering them to
discover their extraordinary
legacy, and return to their
communities to create
positive change as leaders,
mentors, and role models.