Press Releases

Washington The Children's Defense Fund (CDF) will celebrate its 30th anniversary by awarding Beat the Odds? scholarships to three outstanding high school students who have persevered to overcome tremendous obstacles in their lives. As part of the dinner celebration, to be held October 14, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., these three young people will be honored for their hard work, academic excellence, community service and personal determination to "beat the odds."

Joining CDF President Marian Wright Edelman to present the Beat the Odds awards will be Roger Guenveur Smith, who plays Francisco Dupre on the new HBO docudrama series, "K Street." Guests also will be treated to a performance by Diane Schuur and Maynard Ferguson with the Big Bop Noveau Band. News anchor Susan Kidd of NBC 4 in Washington, will emcee the event.

The Children's Defense Fund celebrates 30 years of working to improve the lives of children through research, public education, advocacy, grassroots organizing and lobbying. Since its founding in 1973, CDF has held faithfully to its vision of an America that puts children first and lives up to its promise of equal opportunity for all people. While CDF has made significant improvements in the lives of millions of children and families, there is still much to be done to ensure that our rich nation provides all children what they need to learn, achieve and reach successful adulthood.

The event is being sponsored by the Freddie Mac Foundation, the Coca-Cola Company, Discovery Communications and Major League Baseball Charities.

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The mission of the Children's Defense Fund is to Leave No Child Behind and to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick, into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. We have never taken government funds.