Paint the School Pink Marks 13 Years in Schools
Albany Recreation and Parks' breast cancer awareness program in Dougherty County schools began in 2013 and continues this year.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Secondary Education
The Albany Recreation and Parks Department marked 13 years of its Paint the School Pink breast cancer awareness program in Dougherty County schools. Tee Taylor, of the department, presented the program's history to the Dougherty County Board of Education on Thursday.
Why it matters
The program grew from a single school's conversation into a districtwide effort that encourages students to take part in breast cancer awareness. Its continuation shows how a personal disclosure from one student can shape a long-running community tradition in Albany.
The program has run for 13 years, starting in 2013 at Robert Cross School, according to the Albany Recreation and Parks Department. The source does not report how many students or schools participated this year.
The players
Tee Taylor
Tee Taylor is a staff member with the City of Albany Recreation and Parks Department who leads the Paint the School Pink program.
Geraldine West-Hudley
Geraldine West-Hudley serves as Vice Chair of the Dougherty County Board of Education and attended the event.
The details
The event was tied to Pink Out Day, held October 27 this year. Olivia Charles, now a teacher at Merry Acres Middle School, shared her story with students at Alice Coachman Elementary School. Taylor told students without pink clothing to wear a ribbon instead.
Timeline
2013: Paint the School Pink began at Robert Cross School.
October 27, 2026: Pink Out Day was held in district schools.
Thursday, November 12, 2026: Taylor presented the program's history to the Dougherty County Board of Education.
Season Trajectory
The program's Pink Out Day falls within Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed each October by the American Cancer Society. Albany's school version extends that observance into a multi-year, district-level tradition.
Students in participating Dougherty County schools are invited to wear pink or a ribbon on Pink Out Day to join the awareness effort. Families can ask their school whether it takes part in the program.
The takeaway
Wearing a ribbon is a simple way for students to take part when pink clothing is not available. Schools and families can use this model to start conversations about breast cancer awareness.
Further reading
For related coverage, see Secondary Education in Albany.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Albany Herald.
