Dr. Saunders is recognized for her exemplary service as a role model, mentor, and tutor in support of STEM careers by women and minorities while maintaining a vigorous research program at NIST's Information Technology Laboratory. Through her own strong ambition, drive, and talent, Dr. Saunders persevered to become one of the very few African American women mathematicians in the early 1980's. She has selflessly dedicated herself for more than 30 years to promoting careers in mathematics for African Americans and women at both the national and the local levels.