Lois Dickson Rice
Lois Dickson Rice became a trailblazing corporate executive who helped persuade Congress to provide federal subsidies, known as Pell grants, to tens of millions of needy college students. She was born in 1933, in Portland, the daughter of David Augustus Dickson and Mary Daly. David came to the United States from Kingston, Jamaica in 1911 and his wife, Mary, came to the US from Jamaica in 1914. The Dickson's raised five children, all of whom went on to college. The four sons, Leon, Audley, David, and Frederick graduated from Bowdoin College. Leon, Audley and Frederick became medical doctors, graduated from Howard Medical School, Columbia University School of Optometry, and University of Rochester Medical School, respectively. David received his master's and doctoral degrees from Harvard and spent 40 years in academia as a teacher and university president.
"She helped create a pathway to college for literally millions of low-income and first-generation college goers, changing the trajectories of their families forever."
Arne Duncan, former Secretary of Education
After graduating from Radcliffe College in 1954 with degrees in history and literature, Lois directed counseling services at the National Scholarship Service and Fund for Negro Students. Beginning in 1959 she became director of the College Entrance Examination Board. While there she designed and implemented the Pell Grant Program. Her daughter, Susan E. Rice, is the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and U.S. National Security Advisor for President Obama.
