By Dawn Scotland
The Truth Reporter
“I don’t hide it!… I’m 87 today and I’m very proud of it.”
June Boyd, lifetime community activist and public servant, celebrated her 87th birthday with family and friends Friday, April 8 at Studio 323.
Boyd, who experienced a near death experience this year when her home was struck by gunfire, emphasized that the celebration is a reminder to enjoy life.
“The main reason I’m celebrating is because I had a near fatal accident when someone shot into my home on January 3rd and the Lord gave me another chance.” Boyd says she’s energized. ”I want to work with as many people as I can so we can have more love and not so much hatred and violence. You know it’s just gotten out of hand and we don’t have to live like that. We never did. It’s not in our DNA.”
Guests enjoyed food, refreshments and entertainment by Simply Shann (vocalist Shandonna Flunder and keyboardist Emitt Williams). The colors for the evening were black and yellow. Cards on the table thanked guests and read: “Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Enjoy it.”
Boyd was the first African American to graduate from St. Ursula Academy and was crowned Miss Sepia City at Buckeye Girl’s States. She was one of the founding members of the Toledo Club National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club and helped organize the Democratic Business and Professional Women’s Club of Lucas County. In 1993, Boyd along with Sen. Edna Brown became the first two African-American women elected to Toledo City Council.
