Sisters Newsletter Fall/Winter 2017-18

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NEWSLETTER 2017-18 FALL / WINTER EDITION

Uncommon Height Awards Gala

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he 15th Uncommon Height Awards Gala was held on Friday, November 3, 2017 at the JW Marriott, Washington, D.C. NCNW’s premier signature fundraising event is hosted to honor an individual or individuals who demonstrate a lifetime of service and achievement as exemplified in the

spirit and tradition of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. The Crystal Stair Award is presented to one who has extended far above and beyond oneself to achieve greatness. This year’s Crystal Stair Award recipient was Ms. Cicely Tyson.

Mr. Tom Joyner received the NCNW Man of the Year Award.

15th Uncommon Height Awards Gala

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TOYOTA

Uncommon Height Gala Presidential Sponsor and best practices related to D&I at top conferences, including recently at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Next Gen conference in November 2016.

Ms. Adrienne Trimble

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nce again, Toyota took the lead role as Presidential Sponsor of the Uncommon Height Awards Gala. As the single largest contributor, Toyota helped to assure that NCNW has the resources to present its programs and activities for the next two years. Adrienne Trimble, General Manager of Diversity & Inclusion at Toyota very ably and elegantly represented Toyota at the Uncommon Height Awards Gala. Ms. Trimble is responsible for leading Toyota’s diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategies across North America to directly advance the company’s business goals. She also plays a key role in supporting Toyota’s headquarters unification in Plano, Texas. Adrienne regularly speaks about strategies

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According to Ms. Trimble, “Diversity and inclusion (D&I) have long been top priorities for Toyota and stem from our company’s founding principles of ‘respect for people’ and ‘continuous improvement.’ D&I are integrated into every aspect of our business, not just standalone programs. We want to deeply understand our diverse customers’ expectations to help create a superior sales experience that drives customer loyalty and attracts new owners.

We also strive to attract talent that reflects the communities where we live and operate… Those are just some of the reasons that the relationship with NCNW is so important to NCNW. The organization represents the stability and progress that are consistent with Toyota’s values.

NCNW helps Toyota make positive contributions to society and diverse communities.”

Like so many industries today, the auto industry is experiencing unprecedented transformation.

It is largely driven by the rise of new technologies and fastchanging consumer demographics, expectations, and behaviors.

Toyota is becoming more than a car company - it is becoming a mobility company, one that believes social equity is critical to its longterm business growth.

To reach its goals, Ms. Trimble says the company needs “different perspectives, mindsets, and points of view to drive these mobility innovations and to better understand the varied needs and interests of our customers.

Research shows that millennials are more purpose-driven than the generations that came before them, which is another reason why our mobility vision is so important.

To compete for the best talent, we know our values have to match theirs, and we have to make it known that we’re a company with a genuine social mission — providing access to mobility so people can achieve their ambitions.”

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2017 NCNW National Affiliates Assembly

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r. Thelma Daley, National Chair of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Affiliates, told the inspiring story of the founding of NCNW. It was Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune’s vision to create a coalition of women’s groups modeled after the mainstream National Council of Women. That vision came to fruition on December 5, 1935 in Harlem when 29 religious, political, professional, and social groups came together to found the National Council of Negro Women.

Dr. Bethune articulated the purpose of NCNW: “Such an organization, I believe, will make for unity of opinion among Negro women who

must do some thinking on public questions; it will ensure greater cooperation among women in varied lines of endeavors.” One of the pressing public questions of the day was the issue of lynching — the summary execution of blacks without due process or justice. This year’s Affiliates Assembly included representatives of 28 national women’s groups who agreed to work together to forge a stronger collective presence in the nation’s capital.

Also present for the Affiliates Assembly for the first time were state representatives of NCNW’s community-based sections. To view the Affiliates Assembly presentation, please visit www.ncnw.org.

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2017 NCNW Affiliates Assembly

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The Coca-Cola Foundation

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Awards Entrepreneurship Grant to NCNW’s Women’s Empowerment Program

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ori George Billingsley, Vice President, Community Connections, Coca-Cola USA (CCNA), announced that The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded a grant of $300,000 to NCNW to promote entrepreneurship, with a special focus on African American women. The Women’s Empowerment Program grant is a continuation of a multi-year commitment. Program activities, including webinars and face-toface training sessions, will begin in February and continue throughout

2018. “We are grateful for the opportunity to serve African American women in this important way,” said Ms. Ingrid Saunders Jones, National Chair of NCNW, and former Chair of The CocaCola Foundation. The program will assist veteran and aspiring business owners start, manage and grow their businesses. “Entrepreneurship is one of the tried and true paths to job creation, wealth building and economic stability,” says Janice L. Mathis, NCNW Executive Director.

“NCNW has a long history of

Ms. Lori Billingsley

promoting business enterprise among its members and with the general public, going all the way back to Tuesdays in Mississippi, when Dr. Height was President,” said Ms. Paulette Norvel Lewis, NCNW’s National Program Chair.

To learn more about the Women’s Empowerment Program, please visit www.ncnw.org.

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Sisters 142nd Birthday Celebration for Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune

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he National Council of Negro Women celebrated the 142nd birthday (July 10) of Mary McLeod Bethune, with a dinner held on July 6, 2017, at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).

The special event included tributes to Dr. Bethune by: Ms. Ingrid Saunders Jones, Ms. Ruby Gibbs Williams; Dr. Thelma Gray; and Ms. Janice L. Mathis.

Dinner guests also enjoyed a private tour of the NMAAHC. Dr. Bethune lived 1875-1955. We thank the members who were able to attend the celebration, and those recognized for work that exemplifies the principals of Dr. Bethune, and sustains the NCNW.

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New Jersey BHRP Luncheon

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he New Jersey 2017 Bethune/

Height Recognition Program (BHRP) Luncheon was held on Saturday, June 3 at The Westwood Hotel in Garwood, New Jersey with faithful members, distinguished honorees, and supporters in attendance.

The honorees were: Ms. Kim D. Osterhoudt, Outstanding Women In Industry; Rev. Tracey L. Brown, Distingushed Community Leader; Mrs. Bettye F. Haynes, Outstanding Volunteer; Rev. Dr. Angela M. Battle, Outstanding Humanitarian; Ms. Gioya McRae, Outstanding Leader in the Arts & Sciences; and Dr. Mary McGriff, Distinguished Educator.

New Jersey BHRP honors Legacy Life Members, Life Members, and Bethune Achievers. These members financially support the legacy of Mary McLeod Bethune through contributions of $1,000, $500, and $300, respectively. All proceeds from the event are used toward the national and international operations of NCNW. We also acknowledge deserving community advocates who are enhancing their communities, and the State of New Jersey, through service that promotes our mission of empowering women of African descent.

The BHRP was founded in 1974

by NCNW Section members from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The purpose of the national program is to raise funds to financially support the operations at NCNW National Headquarters in Washington D.C. The New Jersey BHRP Committee meets on the first Saturday of the month from October through May with each section hosting the monthly meeting in their area.

For more information about activities of the NCNW New Jersey State Division, visit: www.ncnw-nj. org.

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The 43rd Mid-Atlantic Region Bethune Height Recognition Program

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t was a beautiful fall day on that Saturday, October 7 when the MidAtlantic Region celebrated its 43rd Annual Bethune Height Recognition Program (BHRP).

The Members of the Mid-Atlantic Region Sections of NCNW came from the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. They were dressed in shades of purple and yellow when they welcomed more than 200 guests to the La Fontaine Bleue Catering Center in Lanham, Maryland.

• The Honorary Chair was the Honorable Constance Berry Newman.

• The Honorable Patricia Lattimore served as the Mistress of Ceremony.

• Dr. Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, received special recognition in the “Outstanding Women in Industry” category.

• The “Distinguished Educator” category recognition was bestowed upon Dr. Aminta H. Breaux, president of Bowie State University in Maryland.

Those who came to celebrate with the MA-BHRP were: Ingrid Saunders Jones, NCNW Chair; Dr. Barbara Shaw, Past NCNW Chair; Johnnie Walker, National Co-Chair for the Bethune Height Recognition Program; and Janice Mathis,

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Executive Director. Headquarters staff members in attendance included: David Glenn, Jr.; Lori Hendricks; and Michelle Holder.

Hostesses were members of the college Sections from Bowie State University, George Washington University, Howard University, Morgan State University, University of Maryland, and Virginia State University.

The Bethune Height Program provides an opportunity for individuals to become Members, Life Members, Legacy Life Members, Associate Members or Achievers.

National Affiliates and friends give financial contributions or raise funds to strengthen NCNW. We are pleased to announce that we recognized thirty-three Achievers, sixteen Life Members, one Associate Life Member, and five Legacy Life Members.

A souvenir journal commemorating the program and acknowledging the honorees was prepared and presented to each attendee.

Much dedication and hard work was done by our Co- Chairs, Ms. Valerie Hall and Ms. Brenita Young. We also acknowledge the wise counsel given to us by Mrs. Peola H. McCaskill, and Mrs. Joan Douglas Jordon.

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HIV Among African Americans •

African Americans are the racial/ethnic group most affected by HIV in the United States.

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Gay and bisexual men account for a majority of new HIV diagnoses among African Americans.

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There are promising signs of progress, especially among women and those who inject drugs.

Black African American Women & HIV

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,142 black women were diagnosed with HIV in 2015.

Black women are more likely to contract HIV than any other group of women.

The rate of HIV diagnosis for black women fell 42 percent between 2005 and 2014. In 2015, the lifetime risk of a black woman in the U.S. contracting HIV was one in every 32 black women. Treatment helps. Among African Americans diagnosed with HIV in 2012 or

earlier, 49 percent had a suppressed viral load (virus at low enough levels to stay healthy and reduce transmission risk). The suppressed viral load was due to being in continuous HIV care.

Get tested. Get treated.

Source: https://www.cdc. gov/hiv/group/racialethnic/ africanamericans/index.html

HIV DIAGNOSIS IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THE MOST-AFFECTED SUBPOPULATIONS, 2015

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Athens Westmont Section, California “Caring is Sharing” Community Event

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he NCNW Athens Westmont Section (AWS) in California held its “Caring is Sharing” community event on Saturday, December 2. Members gathered on Friday night to decorate the Christmas tree, bag goodies, and display toys on decorated tables in advance of the event.

AWS President Yolanda Lathern sent a special thank you to participants and sponsors, and we’ve reprinted portions here: Donna Burt inquired about AWS, and she joined on Friday. She was impressed with the program but more so the togetherness of the group. That speaks volumes AWS!!

Thanks to the membership for purchasing toys for this event.

Special shout out to Sylverna and grandkids for using last year’s gift cards to purchase toys.

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Thanks to Ron Brown, Ross Dress for Less, and Smart and Final, for their generous donations.

About Saturday, the kids were so excited and the gleam in their eyes showed it all. The kids shopped for the toys of their choice. We had some cool toys and some of the kids received two or three toys.

The members and volunteers showed up and showed out.

Thomas from Sebastian RidleyThomas office hung out with us.

• Thanks for sharing the day with us [nonmembers]! These ladies are potential members. We had a great time of fellowship, laughter, and genuine Love. When you start with prayer; and end with prayer is speaks volumes with this section. Simply put, we just keep on being blessed. The toys that were left the members blessed other families that they knew.

• The AKA soror sisters jumped in with lots of help. We look forward Merry Christmas and Happy New to partnering with them next Year to you and your families! See year. you in the New Year!!

• Pam Baker needed community hours for her master’s degree program, Tracey Walker’s neighbors helped out, Darrelyn Williams drove down from Moreno Valley to help, and Deanna

For more information about the section, visit: www.aws-ncnw.org.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS BEGINS

ENDS

ORGANIZATION

EVENT

CITY

Jan. 11

Jan. 15

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

110th Anniversary Commemoration

Washington, DC

Jan. 15

Jan. 15

Federal Holiday

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday

USA

Feb. 7

Feb. 7

NBHAAD Strategic Leadership Council

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day USA

Feb. 8

Feb. 9

Rainbow RUSH Coalition

Feb. 8

Feb. 19

Pan African Film Festival

21st Annual Wall Street Project Conference PAFF Film Festival

Feb. 24

Feb. 24

Feb. 22

Feb. 25

Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) Power Rising

Apr. 4

Apr. 4

50th Anniversary of Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mar. 7

Mar. 10 Black Enterprise (BE) Magazine

2018 BE Women of Power Summit

Orlando, FL

Mar. 10

Mar. 13 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital

Washington, DC

Mar. 21

Mar. 25 National Society of Black Engineers

NSBE 44th Annual Convention

Pittsburgh, PA

Jun. 13

Jun. 17

National Assn. of Black Accountants

2018 National Convention & Expo

Orlando, FL

Jun. 13

Jun. 17

American Black Film Festival

ABFF Film Festival

Miami, FL

Jun. 29

Jun. 30

Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc.

2018 Strategic Leadership Summit

Dallas, TX

Jul. 5

Jul. 8

Essence Magazine

Essence Music Festival

New Orleans, LA

Jul. 6

Jul. 12

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

68th Boulé

Houston, TX

Jul. 7

Jul. 8

Fulton County Arts Council

National Black Arts Festival

Atlanta, GA

Jul. 12

Jul. 15

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

57th Biennial Boulé

Dallas, TX

Jul. 14

Jul. 18

NAACP

108th Annual Convention

San Antonio, TX

Jul. 18

Jul. 21

National Assn. of Hispanic Journalists

Annual Conference

Miami, FL

Jul. 18

Jul. 22

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Grand Boulé

New Orleans, LA

Jul. 24

Jul. 28

Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc.

75 National Boulé

Detroit, MI

Jul. 27

Aug. 2

National Bar Association

93rd Annual Convention

New Orleans, LA

Jul. 31

Aug. 5

National Black Nurses Association

Annual Convention

Detroit, MI

Aug. 1

Aug. 4

National Urban League

Annual Conference

Columbus, OH

Aug. 1

Aug. 5

National Association of Black Journalists 2018 NABJ Annual Convention

Aug. 3

Aug. 8

Ladies Auxiliary Knights of Peter Claver

Aug. 15

Aug. 18 National Medical Association

New York, NY Los Angeles, CA

The 92nd Annual Black History Luncheon Washington, DC Power Rising Summit: Building an Agenda for Black Women

th

Atlanta, GA

Detroit, MI

103 Annual National Convention

Anaheim, CA

2018 NMA Annual Convention

Orlando, FL

rd

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NEW CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS

(Based on payments received 6/18/17 thru 11/30/17) ADVOCATE MEMBERS ($75) Earnestine Bridges Gwendolyn Brown Paulette Carter Yvonne Felder Sauveur Genelien Teresa S. Gonzalez Maxine Greene Mildred Gutierrez Brenda Jefferson Tara Morrison Kimberly Owens June Pickett-Dowdy Lenor Reese Sandra Rouse Jenelle Sessom Tamika Styles ReShunda Toston Michelle Walker Nicole Webb Luana Wesley Cassandra H. Williams Danielle Williams Janet Wilson-Carter LEADERSHIP CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP ($150) Pamela Booker Shalawn Dawson Sara Fields Genevieve Gibson-Newman Shevette Jones Traci Lewis Sophia McIntyre Portia Osborne Nikki Williams Tanya Glenn-Butler Karen Williams ASSOCIATE (MEN) LIFE MEMBERS ($500) Andrew W. C. Barrett Forest Chapman Alix Desulme Artist Gilbert Eugene Vasser Kylis Winborne LIFE MEMBERS ($500) Bettye H. Albritton Evelma Allen Joyce N. Anderson Renetta Atterberry Maria R. Barnes Faye Bobb-Semple Johnnie B. Booker Brenda Booth-West Evelyn M. Boyd Queenie M. Boyd

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Life Members (cont’d) Mary Ann Brinson Sandra Fulton Britt Melissa P. Butler Carolyn Cadney Helen M. Cameron Cynthia L. Cary-Griffin Kamera E. Chandler Yvonne Charles Felita J. Clark Nancy Cooke Shirley J. Cordell-Robinson Delores Debnam Myra L. Dubose Stewart Myrlie Evers Elizabeth Farmer Moreen Bailey Frater Willie Mae Frazier Anna Galimore Allene Gammage-Ahmed Sharon L. Garlington Carlene Gray Shajuan S. Gray Minnie Greer Sandra B. Gunter Corrine T. Hardison Yvonne D. Harmon Vernette Harris Linda Harrison Rev. Dr. Berlinda A. Hart Love Sandra M. Hastings Maria Hegener Lauren Henry Carly Hill Winifred Horton Rev. Dr. Danielle L. Hunter Marie E. Jennings-Stubbs D. Judith Johnson Jacqueline O. Johnson Sheila Johnson-Hannah Dr. Johnea Kelley Irene Lawson Debby Lindsey Arlevia Livingston Doris Lovette Evelyn Patricia Madison Charita R. Mariner Roberta C. Mazyck Frances McCullough Victoria Meinga-Black Honorable Margery L. Melvin Marquerite S. Middleton Mildred Lavern Mitchell Regina Monroe Deloris Monsanto Patricia Montgomery Katrina R. Moore Gene Blakely Parks

Life Members (cont’d) Lisa J. Price Dr. Blanche Radford-Curry Nakima Redmon Kathleen Marie Reid Willie L. Richardson Sarah E. Richey Denna L.B. Ridgway, MSW ASW Donna M. Roberson Mattie R. Robertson Barbara Rodgers Pamela Sampson Benita Sanders Patricia Sanders-Ford Jacqueline Sims Tiffany Smith Shirley Smithson-Martin Ella L. Spruill Mary D. Stevenson Elizabeth Taylor Maggie C. Temple Anna Louise Thomas Fannie Timko Thelma Underdue Linda Ursery- Fleming Vivian A. Vasser Martina Walker Lossie E. Whitaker-Thornton Martha A. White GROUP LIFE MEMBERS National CARES Mentoring Movement Cardinal Chapter, Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. LEGACY LIFE MEMBERS ($1,000) Honorable Joyce Beatty Sharon Brown Mary W. Burriss Andrea C. J. Casey Jessie S. Cauthen Rita C. Graham Valerie Hall Helen Holston Tangela Hummons Gwendolyn Mark JoAnn P. Miller Mary Palmer Alice V. Pitts Sheryl Denise Sanders Veronica Mae Sawyer Shiretta Shaw-Wiggins Nellie Redmond Williams, Posthumously Willease Williams Jeane G. Wise

In Loving Memory

Joyce S. Agunbiade, Life Member Chair Mid-Atlantic Convener’s Team National Section Recertification Staff Member, Silver Spring, MD Lee Dora Hopkins-Neal, San Francisco, CA Helen Hamilton, Life Member, Bayshore, NY Judge Jean Murrell Capers (Retired), Life Member, Cleveland, OH Viola Easley, Life Member, Former Section President, Indianapolis, IN Ruth Woodson, Indianapolis, IN Jean Kennedy, Life Member, San Bernadino, CA Joyce Fairman, Rialto, CA Bertha Kemp, Legacy Life Member, Former Section President, Tampa, FL

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J O I N

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RGANIZE

he NCNW Membership Drive Initiative Committee launched our J.O.I.N. campaign on April 20, 2017. We are pleased to report an increase of more than 2,340 new and returning members. With each of the Sections and you recruiting new members, we will definitely reach our goal of doubling the current membership of NCNW.

MPLEMENT

Thank you for what you have done and for your continued support of this Membership Drive. We wish you much success as you continue to recruit friends, family and former members.

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Wishing you and yours, a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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A. Lois Keith NCNW National Vice Chair

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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN, INC. 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004 202.737.0120 www.ncnw.org

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