Rita Violet Guillory Augustine was a well-known and highly respected individual of African Descent within the Greater Rochester Area. She received her Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from Simmons University in Boston Massachusetts.

She worked as a social services activist, case worker, and executive. During her career, she served as Vice-President at the Urban League of Rochester, County of Monroe Senior Administrator in charge of Planning and the Social Services Departments, CEO of Rochester New Futures, and Chief Operating Officer of Catholic Family Center where she created and enhanced a multitude of valuable and successful social services programs. Among her many awards and recognitions is being celebrated by the City of Rochester as one of its 150 African American Ancestors who have greatly contributed to the Greater Rochester Area since 1800.

This award is granted to individuals whose contributions to the GIB Foundation cumulatively total at least $500.