National School Boards Association Mourns the Loss of School Health Leader

Alexandria, Va. (February 5, 2012) - The National School Boards Association (NSBA) mourns the passing of Brenda Z. Greene, a leading national expert who oversaw NSBA's school heath policies and programs for almost a quarter century until her retirement last summer.

Greene, a long-time resident of Fairfax County, Va. who died Friday, joined NSBA's staff in 1983 and was named Director of School Health Programs in 1987 when the organization received its first funding award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health. She remained in the position until her retirement in July 2011. 

NSBA's Executive Director Anne L. Bryant said "Greene helped NSBA become the lead education organization on school health issues." Working with grant funding from CDC and other agencies, Greene worked in partnership with state school board associations and "helped others to be pro-active within their states, communities, and local school districts."

"Brenda was an extraordinary leader on behalf of school board members and children, and a tireless advocate for healthy students and healthy schools," Bryant said. "Starting more than three decades ago, she raised the issues few were willing to even discuss, such as HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy, and tobacco use. Her presence will be missed."

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Founded in 1940, the National School Boards Association (NSBA) is a not-for-profit organization representing state associations of school boards and their more than 90,000 local school board members throughout the U.S. Working with and through our state associations, NSBA advocates for equity and excellence in public education through school board leadership. www.nsba.org