OUR PRESIDENT
A Message of hope from our President
Club Sisters,
As I have been reflecting on the current status of our organization during this difficult time, I received a needed reminder from one of our beloved club sisters ( Eleanor Bass, TN). She reminded me that we (NACWC) have been through difficult times like this before. In 1918-1919, under the presidency of Mary B. Talbert, our organization endured the "Spanish Flu"; which caused the deaths of over 500,000 U.S. citizens. Although COVID-19 is new to us individually, I am confident that when we come through this pandemic, we will come through better than we went in. We are the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, Inc. (123 years old), the FIRST organization created for women of color and the longest serving in the history of the United States of America. Our legacy of strength can NOT be matched and that is where we will have to draw from now to face the difficulties that have beset us. So I just want to encourage each of you to press on a little bit further and work a little bit harder, for these troubled times will not last always. Our theme created in 2018 was prophetic in relation to what will sustain us now, we must continue “Utilizing Our Legacy as a Guide for Our Future, In Lifting As We Climb” (Sacrifice, Scholarship, Service, & Sisterhood). I implore each of you to pay close attention to Sacrifice and Service. Our communities are devastated by this crisis and if there is anything we are able to do to lessen the effect, we must be about that work. Our Sisterhood requires us to keep our sisters in those areas that have been severely impacted ( including but not limited to New York over 350,000 cases, New Jersey over 100,000 cases, Illinois over 95,000 cases and Massachusetts over 80,000 cases) in our thoughts and prayers; as well as, all of our sisters that have been effected directly and/or indirectly and those who are essential workers. Scholarship dictates that we stand as role models to our youth and young adults, displaying our strength and tenacity while encouraging them to forge onward in spite of.
Let us remember "Lifting As We Climb" is our lifestyle not just our motto,
Andrea Brooks-Smith,
NACWC, Inc. 30th President
NACWC OFFICERS
2018-2020
President
Ms. Andrea Brooks-Smith
1st Vice President
Ms. Lilyn Hill
2nd Vice President
Mrs. Opal Bacon
3rd Vice President
Ms. LaKeshia Battle
Chair, Executive Council
Mrs. Laura Jamerson
Treasurer
Mrs. Sandra Lewis
Financial Secretary
Mrs. Mary Ann Rogers
1st Recording Secretary
Mrs. Carol Cooper
2nd Recording Secretary
Ms. Mary Collier
Chaplain
Mrs. Sheryl Brady
Parliamentarian
Dr. Lenola Allen Sommerville
Statistician
Ms. Diane Johnson
Historian
Dr. Arthelda Busch Williams
PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENTS
Ms. Sharon R. Bridgeforth
Mrs. Evelyn J. Rising
Dr. Patricia L. Fletcher
Dr. Dolores M. Harris