Who is Dr. Rita Thornton?

The Thornton Sisters, Rita, keyboard player and singer, pictured with her arms folded.

Dr. Rita Thornton is someone who people should pay attention to for several reasons. Firstly, her experience as an educator brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the education system, which is valuable in today’s society. She has dedicated her life shaping the minds of young people and uplifting others so, her insights and perspectives on education are sure to be insightful and informative.

  • She is the youngest sister in a well-known musical family of all girls (The Thornton Sisters – an all-girl R&B band popular in the ’60s & late 70s). 
  • The youngest daughter of a Ditchdigger (Family story nationally televised in the TV movie “The Ditchdigger’s Daughters”). (Bullying in the family was and still is seen as “normal”)*
  • First Black female to be appointed as an Environmental Justice Administrator for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) (Bad Behavior by others/Bullying in the Workplace was seen as “normal”)*
  • First Black female Section Chief at NJDEP (Bad Behavior by others/Bullying in the Workplace was seen as “normal”)*
  • First Black female doctoral candidate in environmental science at NJIT graduate school (Bad Behavior/Bullying was “normalized” or “ignored”) *
  • A college professor who teaches biological sciences to military students and their families all over the world
  • CEO for a non-profit faith-based organization that offers one-year college scholarships to New Jersey public high school females of color who are in financial need and will be attending a four-year college university (The Thornton Sisters Foundation – www.thornton-sisters.com)
  • Recipient of the United States Congressional Recognition Award and New Jersey Legislators’ /Governor’s Proclamation Award for her 20+ years of service educating the New Jersey community at large.
  • First Black woman to establish, sponsor and manage a  preK-8 Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Child Care Center in New Jersey for economically disadvantaged inner-city children. Learn more about the Pneuma Academy STEM Program.
  • An ovarian cancer survivor who is a living example of God’s grace (favor) as discussed during a Teal Tea Foundation Interview.

*A workplace, family system, and/or school environment where Bad Behavior/Bullying of others is seen as “normal” or just simply ignored.