RE Log - Fall 2020

FALL 2020 Ransom Everglades LOG 7 In January 2020, Watson was named the recipient of the 2020 Ransom Everglades Founders’ Alumni Award, which is awarded to individuals who, through loyal attitude, inspired spirit and unselfish action, have helped fulfill the vision of the founders of the Ransom and Everglades Schools. Recent recipients have included Kelly Posner Gerstenhaber ’85, Rudy Prio Touzet ’76, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders ’70 and Maurice Ferre ’79 . “She’s always been a big-minded, global person, a lot like my mother,” Carlos Watson said. “She fell in love with the world early on … She has always had a really powerful way of inspiring people, and helping them be their best. I know Bev will be an inspiration to what is an even more social-justice- minded generation, a generation even more focused on leaving the world better off.” The COVID-19 crisis prevented Ransom Everglades from recognizing Beverly Watson in person last spring, but Head of School Penny Townsend promised that day would come. “Beverly has honored Ransom Everglades for three decades with her work across the globe,” Townsend said. “She is the embodiment of our school’s mission; her work for the betterment of the global community illustrates what we hope for from every graduate. We look forward to presenting this award when it is safe to gather again.” The youngest of four siblings, Beverly Watson grew up in South Florida with role models all around. Her father, Carlos Watson, Sr., earned his master’s in sociology at the University of Pittsburgh and was a professor in the social sciences at Florida International University and Florida Memorial College. Carla Watson earned her MD and PhD at Heidelberg University in Germany and now uses her medical expertise to create educational initiatives at leading universities. Since graduating from Harvard University, Carlos Watson, Jr., has fashioned a distinguished career in television and other media as CEO of the Ozy media company (see page 36). Carolyn Watson earned her PhD in psychology from New York University and is now in private practice in Washington, D.C. And, of course, there was the family matriarch, who finished her PhD in International Studies at the University of Miami while her youngest daughter attended RE. She had received her bachelor’s at Virginia Union and master’s at Columbia University. She later wrote a book, Purposeful Parenting . “Her fearlessness and desire to help others are things that she definitely passed on to me. I think about the theme, the thread that goes through my life: How do you empower students and communities through education? That’s something I saw my mother do.” – Beverly Watson ’90