Citation by Erika Marin-Spiotta
Dr. Hendratta Ali is an award-winning professor, research scientist, and mentor who leads a dynamic
program in aqueous geochemistry and exploration geology at Fort Hays State University, where she also
developed a brand-new degree program. Dr. Ali is advancing environmental justice and racial equity in
the geosciences through engaged scholarship, bringing together students from Cameroon and the U.S. into
the field to investigate sources of water pollution in urbanized watersheds, for example, and through
meritorious leadership across multiple geoscience societies. She is a formidable advocate for Black
students and early career scientists, organizing the National Association of Black Geoscientists’ COVID
support fund for students and co-leading the National Association of Geoscience Teachers’ Early Career
Geoscience Faculty workshop. Dr Ali co-created Black in Geoscience Week, led a petition for anti-racist
action by the geoscience community with over 26,000 signatures, and co-created a plan for cultural
transformation in geoscience organizations.
Response by Hendratta N. Ali
Dear colleagues, friends and family,
I am honored to receive the 2021 Bromery Award. The Bromerys contributed fundamentally to shape the future of Geoscience. That they saw the need to sponsor this award should inspire us to appreciate their vision, and go further to make geoscience inclusive.
The selection committee had other candidates to choose from. I am grateful I was selected. But, this does not and should not in any way erase the contributions of fellow nominees.
Thank you to my nominators and letter writers for your confidence, time and effort to collect, organize and write letters on my behalf. To those who also offered to nominate me, I appreciate you.
I dedicate this award to my family, and people enduring prejudice, resisting and chipping away at systemic discrimination and racism. We do work striving for the same cause. Progress in geoscience will be our greatest award.
Thank you.