The Black Student Catholic Scholarship Fund of
Omaha stands on the shoulders of champions for
equality like Tessie Edwards. Tessie devoted her
life to awakening greatness in our youth.
A teacher for 46 years, and the first
African American teacher in the
Archdiocese of Omaha, Tessie taught for 23
years at Creighton Prep where she was the head
of the History department. She was passionate
about democracy and civic engagement, racial
equality, multiculturalism and her Catholic faith.
She believed in Catholic education’s ability to
transform lives, transform society and make our
nation truly just. It is because of her example that
in 2014 the Black Student Catholic Scholarship
Fund board chose to rename the scholarship the
Ms. Tessie O. Edwards Memorial Scholarship.
Read the 2023 BSCSF and Ms. Tessie O. Edwards Memorial Scholarship annual report here.