Retired D-204 administrator receives community service award

Edna Brass recently received the Reverend James E. Allen Award for Service to the Community from Joliet’s Project Acclaim for her “sustained community involvement and mentorship,” according to a news release from Joliet Township High School District 202.

The award “recognizes individuals or organizations who show selfless devotion of community by direct action, perform actions that have a communitywide impact and perform actions that have enhanced the best interests of the community,” according to the release.

Brass said in a 2020 Herald-News story that when she served as JTHS director of special services, she worked to ensure students with disabilities, homeless students, and homebound and hospitalized students received appropriate services and programs.

She believed that everyone, ultimately, wanted a good quality of life.

“So just because somebody has a different socioeconomic level than you or less education than you, you still value that person just because they are that – a person,” Brass said in the 2020 Herald-News story. “Sometimes the difference between you being homeless and somebody else being homeless is, a lot of times, opportunity. Not laziness or lack of drive.”

During the pandemic, Brass volunteered at mobile food pantries and participated in activities as a JTHS bridge builder, according to the release.

She also served as a Restorative Practices Problem Solving Circle volunteer “to provide students with the opportunity to reflect and learn from choices that led to disciplinary action,” according to the release.

Edna holds numerous leadership positions at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Joliet and has served the Community Foundation of Will County, the National Hook-Up of Black Women and the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic, according to the 2020 Herald-News story.

She’s received the education award from the Joliet chapter of the National Hook-Up of Black Women; named a Who’s Who Among American Teachers; recognized by the NAACP for outstanding performance in youth services; received the Midwest Christian Women’s Conference woman of excellence award; recognized by the Baptist General State Convention for outstanding contributions in public education; and received the Generation Dance Co. woman of the year award, according to the Herald-News story.

Brass also is involved with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

She is the past chairwoman for Easter Seals board of directors, an organization she still is actively involved with through participation in the annual fundraising telethon, and has served as a member of the Will County Board, according to the release.

Brass also established the Brass Family Education Scholarship for JTHS seniors pursuing a career in education. She believes people should determine their purpose and then embrace it and carry it out.

“Try to not let what somebody else may feel or think deter you in any way,” Brass said in the 2020 Herald-News story. “Just persevere and keep going. Be grateful for what life brings you, the good and the bad, because all of it makes you the person who you are. So instead of being bitter, try to be better.”