An affiliate of a historic African-American women’s advocacy organization will host its annual awards luncheon later this month.
The Lawrence Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) will have its 5th Annual Black History Bethune-Height Legacy Awards Luncheon on March 19.
The gathering will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Garrison, 6002 N. Post Road, located at Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park.
The Lawrence Section, NCNW celebrates its Black history event every year by hosting a luncheon and honoring leaders in the community who exemplify the kind of leadership and ability that puts others before themselves to serve mankind. An award given at the luncheon is named for two extraordinary women in the history of NCNW, the Bethune-Height Legacy Award.
“This is our fifth year for the luncheon, and we have six recipients this year,” said Debra Cooper, president of the Lawrence Section. The luncheon’s keynote speaker will be Rev. Angelique Walker-Smith, executive director of the Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis. The event is open to the public.
The National Council of Negro Women was founded in 1935 by Mary McLeod Bethune, a child of slave parents, distinguished educator and government consultant. Bethune saw a need for harnessing the power and extending the leadership of Black women through a national organization.
In 1937, first lady Eleanor Roosevelt introduced Dorothy I. Height to the legendary Bethune. Height became the fourth president of the NCNW, where she served for more than 50 years.
The Lawrence section received its charter in December 2005.
NCNW founder Bethune described … “the need for a united organization of women to open doors for our young women, united so that when it speaks, its power will be felt.” From the beginning, women of all racial and cultural backgrounds were welcomed to work together with NCNW.
There are three NCNW sections in Indiana: Gary, Indianapolis and Lawrence.
For information about tickets for this year’s awards luncheon or to purchase an advertisement in the event’s souvenir ad booklet, contact Debra Cooper at dbracooper@aol.com or (317) 506-3031. Patrons may mail ads for the souvenir booklet to Cooper, 4639 Cotton St., Indianapolis, IN 46226. The ad deadline is March 16.
