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Credit Courtesy of Sonya Bernard-Hollins
Sonya Bernard-Hollins graduated in 1993 from Western Michigan University with a degree in English and journalism. She named her Merze Tate Explorers travel club after a fellow alumna, Merze Tate, who, in 1927, became the first African-American to earn a bachelor’s degree from WMU. The group s members, who are in fourth through 12th grades, are exposed to careers and the world through traveling, meeting trailblazing women and doing multi-media projects.
Tate spoke five languages. She was a world traveler and high-school and college educator in history. Tate would expand her students’ world view by taking them on trips. Bernard-Hollins has authored a children s book about this accomplished woman. She also developed a traveling exhibit about Tate. It debuted at the Michigan Women s Hall of Fame in 2011.