By Denise Black-Poon
Special to The Truth
The first Saturday in March is designated as NANBPWC, Inc. Women’s History Day. The purpose is to focus on the many contributions made by African American women who have been and are instrumental in advancing education, business, professions, technology, family, and community.
We gave special recognition to our former presidents of whom shoulders of which we stand who are with us today.
9th president Wilma Brown 1987-1991
13th President Barbara Tucker 2001-2005
14th President Clara Brank 2005-2007
15th President Wanda Terrell Galloway 2007-2011
16th President Denise Black-Poon 2011-2017
17th President Frances Collins, PhD, 2017-2021
18th President Tyra Smith 2021- 2023 (present).
The 2022 National Women’s History Theme “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope”
The 2022 Women’s History theme, “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.
Women as healers harken back to ancient times. Healing is the personal experience of transcending suffering and transforming it to wholeness. The gift of hope spreads light to the lives of others and reflects a belief in the unlimited possibilities of this and future generations. Together, healing and hope are essential fuels for our dreams and our recovery.
This year, in particular, we are reminded of the importance of healers and caregivers who are helping to promote and sustain hope for the future. The National Women’s History Alliance encourages communities throughout the country to honor local women who bring and have historically brought these priceless gifts to their families, workplaces and neighborhoods, sometimes at great sacrifice. These are the women who, as counselors and clerics, artists and teachers, doctors, nurses, mothers and grandmothers ,listen, ease suffering, restore dignity and make decisions for our general as well as our personal welfare.
Women have long advocated for compassionate treatments and new directions in public health and in women’s mental and physical health. Women have also historically led the way in mending divisions, healing wounds, and finding peaceful solutions. This timeless work, in so many ways and in addition to so many other tasks, has helped countless individuals in our communities recover and follow their dreams.
The 2022 theme proudly honors those who, in both public and private life, provide healing and promote hope for the betterment of all.
Dr. LaTaunya V. Conley, NFVP
NANBPWC, Inc. clubs celebrate Founders’ Day annually to recognize the shoulders on which they stand and the role and responsibility they have in preparing our young people for the future. The Observance is the occasion to present the Sojourner Truth Award to an outstanding African American woman. The award was established in 1948.
This award is the highest award given by the association by local clubs.
In the Toledo Club, the club members who are here with us who have received this award is Wilma Brown in 1997 and Barbara Tucker in 2014.
This award is not given every year and should be presented in a public setting of over 200 guests with the community and media presence.
