The Norma Gray Professional Development Scholarship

On September 14, 2001 at West Virginia Childcare Centers United Inaugural meeting the Norma Gray Professional Development Scholarship was founded. This scholarship will be presented to a child care worker that demonstrates the same high qualities of professionalism in child care as Dr. Norma Gray demonstrates.


Martin Luther King said, "Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service." Norma Gray is the perfect example of greatness being determined by service. In 1972 Norma Gray founded what is now River Valley Child Development Services. She is responsible for opening Children's Place, Norma Gray Early Learning Child Development Center, Enterprise Child Development Center, Children's Center in Hamlin and Marshall University's Child Development Center. Norma Gray has touched the lives of many many people in West Virginia. It could have been through the Apprenticeship for Child Care Program, one of River Valley's Child Care Center's, or one of the programs or conferences River Valley sponsored. In what ever way Dr. Norma Gray has touched our lives and touched the lives of the children in West Virginia. The Norma Gray Professional Development Scholarship was founded in her name as a small thank you for her years of service to West Virginia's children.


George Bernard Shaw said, "You dream things; and say, "Why?" But I dream things that never were; and I say, "Why not?" Thank you Dr. Gray for dreaming things that never were and saying, "WHY NOT?"

Sheila Skiffington of Quilt presents a workshop about the importance of working together in changing times.

Conference participants share their concerns about the future of early care and education in WV.

Rain didn't prevent participants from having their Silly-Kid-Sing Along.

Mrs. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus makes a suprise appearance at the conference.