WS Chronicle

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

The Winston-Salem Branch of the American Association for University Women (AAUW) held its annual Fall Luncheon at Five Points Restaurant to honor D r . Virginia Newell for 50 years of leadership and support in AAUW’s efforts to empower women and girls.

Also, she was honored for community activism and her foundational work while serving as a professor at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU).  Dr. Newell is currently a retired professor emeritus who has been credited as the single force behind acquiring computers for WSSU and creating the foundation for a computer science program at the university.

At the luncheon, Dr. Betty Alexander, who also retired from WSSU, presented Dr. Newell with a framed Honorary Life Member certificate.

Dionne Jenkins, J.D., was the keynote speaker at the Oct. 2 event.  As general counsel for the Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County School System, she is an example of today’s women in leadership.  One of her duties as General Counsel is to oversee compliance to Title IX.  She brought AAUW up to date on Title IX in local schools.

“We are pleased to know that our girls and young women have equality in access, equipment and personnel as they participate in sports and educational programs,” an AAUW official said.

The Winston-Salem Branch also partnered with a Title I elementary school, South Fork, and its media coordinator to assure on Nov. 18 that every first-grader receives a book. The project is titled, “Love Your Book Project” led by Norma Bernhardt and Judy Atkinson.

“We are pleased to have strong leadership with Ellen Morris and Dr. Vanessa Duren-Robinson as co-presidents. Through our branch, we help shape the lives of the next generation of women leaders, and advocate for policies that advance social justice, equity and equality for women and girls,” an AAUW official said.