The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) mission is to lead, empower and advocate for women of African descent, their families, and communities.
“The National Council of Negro Women is an “organization of organizations” (comprised of 300 campus and community-based sections and 32 national women’s organizations) that enlightens, inspires, and connects more than 2,000,000 women and men. Its mission is to lead, advocate for, and empower women of African descent, their families, and communities. NCNW was founded in 1935 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, and influential educator and activist, and for more than 50 years, the iconic Dr. Dorothy Height was President of NCNW. Johnnetta Betsch Cole was elected Chair of NCNW in 2018, ushering in a new era of social activism and continued progress and growth for the organization. Today, NCNW programs are grounded on a foundation of critical concerns known as “Four for the Future”. NCNW promotes education with a special focus on science, technology, engineering and math; encourages entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and economic stability; educates women about good health and HIV/AIDS; promote civic engagement and advocates for sound public policy and social justice” (https://ncnw.org/ncnw/mission).
Since our founding on April 12, 1982, we remain committed to our chapter 's mission of providing public service within our communities and to the constructive development of our members.
We serve by offering programs that focus on educational development of our youth, physical and mental health across the lifespan, voter registration and voting rights. We are committed in building a legacy based on sisterhood, scholarship and service.
As the president of this phenomenal chapter of dedicated women, I look forward to continuing the important work begun by our founder Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune in working towards fulfilling the mission, pledge, and legacy of NCNW.
Love & blessings,
Sherriel M. Smith Sherriel M. Smith President, NCNW Tidewater SectionGreetings members, community advocates, supporters, and friends of NCNW Tidewater Section. We sincerely welcome you and thank you for your time and your efforts to support and join us this year as we celebrate 41 years of NCNW Tidewater Section!
NCNW is an organization founded by Mary McLeod Bethune, and educator, philanthropist, humanitarian, and civil rights activist who saw a need for harnessing the power and extending the leadership of African American women. Her primary mission was to establish an organization that would bring organizations together. Hence, a national organization of national organizations was birth. With a vision for working together with a “Unity of Purpose and a Unity of Action”, NCNW was established to improve the quality of life for women, their families, and communities.
NCNW Tidewater has been doing just that for 41 years…providing school supplies to our local elementary schools, adopting and helping individuals and families directly as well as in collaborations with other entities such as the Oasis Social Ministry, Food Bank of Hampton Roads and the Genieve Shelter, to name a few. Over the past three years, we have been challenged as we manipulated our way through COVID-19 but we preserved and we thank all sponsors, advertisers, patrons, volunteers, and all of you who are attending. Your support exemplifies the African American proverb “It takes a village to raise a child”. Your contributions provide a safe and healthy environment for our children. They are given the security they need to develop and flourish. With our scholarships, (through your donations) it assists our recipients in a small way to be able to realize their hopes and dreams are obtainable. We appreciate each and every single one of you.
For we know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthen us. Phil 4:13
I thank you for trusting me with this program. I appreciate the Scholarship Luncheon Fundraiser Committee for your support and dedication.
Venis Adams, Event Coordinator Sherriel Smith Althia Garvin Angela Jenkins Janice Peters Carol Daniels-Bell Anna Batten Paula Scott Elois ButlerThe National Council of Negro Women is a nonprofit organization with the mission to advance the opportunities and the quality of life for African American women, their families and communities. The organization was founded in 1935 by Mary McLeod Bethune.
Mary McLeod Bethune was a distinguished educator, a government official, a civil rights leader and political rights advocate activist. She was a co-founder of the United Negro College Fund, founder of Bethune Cookman School. An extraordinary woman with a vision and a mission to lead, develop, and advocate, and address issues of human welfare and rights through public education, community service and advocacy. Her belief: That with education, African Americans would begin to earn a living in a country that still opposed racial equality. Her charge and legacy: That we would accept responsibility for our young people by promoting a thirst for education.
The Legacy of Mary McLeod Bethune
I leave you love
I leave you hope
I leave you the challenge of developing confidence in one another
I leave you a thirst for education
I leave you a respect for the use of power
I leave you faith
I leave you racial dignity
I leave you a desire to live harmoniously with your fellowman
I leave you, finally a responsibility to our young people.
NCNW Tidewater Section was established October 12, 1982, servicing the cities of Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Suffolk, VA, yet assisting in whatever capacities needed in all seven cities. We meet the 3rd Saturday at 10:00am at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church on 2714 Frederick Blvd in Portsmouth, VA. There’s power and strength when a body of dedicated ladies join forces. We are an advocating group of women who care and strive to make a difference. Please come join other phenomenal ladies. We are dedicated to fulfilling our legacy of service and community involvement by enriching the lives of those in our community. We are a collective body who stands up for social justice and human rights through united and constructive actions. Therefore, we reach out to those in need by donating our finances, time and goods to feed the hungry at the Oasis Social Ministry in Portsmouth, VA, to the local Foodbanks of Southeastern VA & the Eastern Shore in Norfolk, VA. We provide holiday baskets to families in need, including our NCNW homebound/nursing home members. We also adopt a family during the holidays and fulfill their holiday wish list. Through the Genieve Shelter, we aid those seeking refuge, shelter and a fresh start for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking located in Suffolk, VA. Every year we distribute school supplies to local elementary schools. We promote educational achievement to our young adults through several annual awards: our Joyce Gould Education Award, our Josephine Felder Education Award and our Focus Stipend Education Award. These are just some of our outreach projects that symbolize our core value.
We thank you all for your unwavering and continuous support.
Thomas Wood Newton was born January 3, 1928, in Tarboro, North Carolina to William Newton and Maggie W. Wood. He is the third of four children and survives his Sister, Helen N. Knight and Brothers William M. and James V. Newton. Mr. Newton is married to Mary Birth Newton and has three adult children. His two Sons are Stevie Carmack (eldest) and Tarvick Linder and his Daughter is Tara Battle.
After graduating from High School, Mr. Newton joined the U.S. Army Air Corps on January 31, 1946. Upon completing Basic Training and Clerk Typist School, he was assigned to the 99th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group and stationed at Lockbourne Army Air Base, Columbus, Ohio. As Squadron Supply Clerk, Mr. Newton rose to the rank of Sergeant and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged on January 31, 1949.
After serving his country, Mr. Newton returned home in New York City and briefly attended Fordham University, Bronx, New York, to study Accounting. From 1954 to 1985, Mr. Newton was employed by the New York City Postal Service working his way up to a Supervisory position which he held for 17-years. He was promoted to Station Manager during the last 5-years of his career where he supervised 63-station personnel. Mr. Newton retired from the Postal Service in 1985 after 31-years of dedicated service. From New York City, Mr. Newton moved to Silver Spring, Maryland and now resides in Chesapeake, Virginia with his wife Mary. In October 2019, Mr. Newton joined the Tidewater Chapter Tuskegee Airmen Inc. organization.
To learn more about SGT Thomas Newton and/or the Tidewater Chapter’s Speakers Bureau and other activities that he participates in, please visit the Tidewater Chapter’s Website at the following location: www.TAI-TidewaterChapter.Com.
Welcome..............................................................................Mrs. Althia Garvin, Secretary
Introduction of Mistress of Ceremony.......................................................Mrs. Althia Garvin
Mistress of Ceremony.............................................................................................Dr. Ella P. Ward, Chesapeake City Councilwoman
Invocation & Blessing.....................................................................................Mrs. Verndine Moore, Chaplain
Musical selection....................................................................................Ms. Raven Smith & Ms. Sherri Butler
LUNCH IS SERVED
Musical selection........................................................................Ms. Raven Smith & Ms. Sherri Butler
Introduction of Speaker...................................................................Ms. Venis Adams, First Vice Pres.
Guest Speaker.................................................................................................................Mr. Thomas W. Newton
Documented Original Tuskegee Airman
FORTIFIED BY THE PAST
Memorial Service..................................................................................Mrs. Sherriel Smith, President ~From Labor to Rest~
FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE
Awarding of Scholarships...............................................................................................Ms. Paula Scott
Raffle winner..................................................................................................................Ms. Venis Adams
Closing Remarks............................................................................................................Ms. Venis Adams Mrs. Sherriel Smith
*** Requesting all NCNW Tidewater Members to stay after for a photo***
Niyah S. Wilson is the daughter of Niyesha Wilson of Suffolk, VA, graduating as an honor student from Lakeland High School with a 3.25 GPA. In addition to her classes at Lakeland, Niyah was an avid member of the Lakeland High School Cheer Team, serving as Captain of Junior Varsity Cheer and Co-Captain of Varsity Cheer. Just to name a few more of her accomplishments and activities, Niyah is a proud member of the Lakeland Spirit Club, Soccer Team and National Honor Society and is actively involved in the community as she has volunteered with local food banks to serve the homeless, assisted with MEG Outreach ministry with holiday turkey giveaway and works part-time at Cook-Out Restaurant. Letters of Recommendation speak highly of Niyah’s dedication, commitment and diligence, positive attitude and resilience and hard work to the point where one details how Niyah has completed high school in just three years as an Early Graduate.
Niyah plans to attend Norfolk State University in the fall in their Pre-Nursing Program to pursue a career as a first responding Traveling Emergency Room Nurse.
~Proverbs
“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it.”
3:27
Sakiah J. West is the daughter of Joyce West of Portsmouth, VA, graduating as an honor student from IC Norcom High School with a 3.47 GPA. In addition to her classes at IC Norcom, Sakiah has participated in the Delta Academy and Delta Gems Program with the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Portsmouth Alumnae Chapter since 2016 whereby focusing on building self-esteem, self-awareness, college and career readiness as well as allowing her to immensely give back and volunteer in the community. Just to name a few of her accomplishments and activities, Sakiah has served on the Varsity and Junior Varsity
Cheerleader Teams and is a member of the Key Club, National Honor Society, Student Government Association and Access College Foundation. She is actively involved in the community as she has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, for Portsmouth Public Schools Back to School Drive, for the Salvation Army Christmas Drive and continues to serve as an ambassador for the Horizons of Hampton Roads Organization mentoring/ tutoring younger students in the program. Letters of Recommendation speak highly of Sakiah’s initiative, diligence, commitment to learning and term her as being a humane spirit who is on her way to becoming a change agent in our community.
Sakiah plans to attend Virginia State University in the fall to study Criminology with a minor in Psychology to pursue a career as a forensic Psychologist.
Chesapeake City Councilwoman 2006-2010; 2010-2014; 2014-2018; 2018-2022; 2022-2026
Christopher Newport University Board of Visitors 2014-2022
Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization, 2008-2022
Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, 2007-2022
Former Chesapeake School Board Member 2000-2004; 2004-2006
Former Virginia Board of Education Member (2003-2007; 2007-2011) 2012, 2016 Candidate for United States Congress, 4th District
CONGRATULATIONS ! ! !
NCNW, Tidewater Sec0on Scholarship Recipients
You are the best of our community and we are so proud of you!
- Tuskegee Airmen-Tidewater Chapter Members
National Council Negro Women Tidewater Section
FIRST GRAVEL HILL BAPTIST CHURCH
5230 Old Stage Highway Smithfield, VA 23430
Reverend Alexander Bracey, III ~ Pastor
WE EXTEND CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN, INC.
(NCNW) TIDEWATER SECTION, FOR ALL THAT YOU DO IN THE COMMUNITY AND OTHER SERVICES YOU PROVIDE.
MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU.
Pastor Alexander Bracey, III &
First Gravel Hill Baptist Church Family
Luddie Adams
Jerry & Linda Adams
Darlene Hubbard
Tiara Jones
Tyree Session
Vashtie Douglas
Bridget Giles
Donna Gilchrist
Darryl & Rosa Wilson
Vernice DeBrick
Ellen Thompson
Angie Jones
Harold and Edna Caldwell
Elois Butler
Anita Gatling
Kathrine Richardson
Ms. Lillie
Ronald Graham
