National Women of Achievement Inc. holds conference in W-S
Standing from left to right are: Evelyn Sanders, LaVerne Gaither, Mildred Griffin, Nancy Carpenter, Dr. Pamela Dockery-Howard, Willie Kennedy, Joan Falls, Valarie Harris and Carretha Gilliam. Seated left to right are: Diane Piggett, Gwendolyn Thompson, Debra Macbeth, Gwendolyn Clark, Shirley B. Eaton, Brenda Galloway, Doris Herrell and Jeannette T. Lewis.
Submitted photo
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Members of National Women of Achievement Inc.’s (NWOA) Southeast Region recently gathered at Friendship Baptist Church, 1317 N. Cherry St., for their 23rd Biennial Conference. The presiding officer was Achiever Shirley B. Eaton, Regional Director. The theme was, “Striving for Excellence in Everything We Do.”
NWOA, Inc. was founded by Achiever Dr. Maudest Wall Stewart of Houston, Texas in 1975. She had a dream of a legacy for tremendous opportunities for women to make outstanding contributions to the welfare of one another, our youth, and our country. She shared her dream with Achievers Judge Alice A. Bonner and the now deceased Achievers Josie B. Taylor, Ozell Taylor Johnson, Eddie M. Johnson, Stella Collins, Lorene B. Lancelin and Dr. Hortense W. Dixon. Since that time, chapters have been organized throughout the United States. Members are known as Achievers.
NWOA’s purpose is: to encourage youth to strive for high morals and scholastic standards in the career fields of their choice; to provide scholarships, support, and guidance for youth; to inspire women to excel in their chosen profession; to influence the membership to become an active part in community activities; and to improve the status of women in all phases of life.
Achievers from the six chapters in the Southeast Region started the conference with a continental breakfast followed by the business of the day.
Chapter representatives shared chapter past events which included: donations to the homeless, book and school supplies donations, spring dances for the Youth Achievers, bingo for seniors, volunteering at the polling sites, Purse Project for women in shelters, college day outings for the youth and a sponsored golf tournament. Upcoming events were also shared with attendees.
The Southeast Region director, Achiever Shirley B. Eaton, shared her vision for NWOA’s premiere event, CONWOA, scheduled to take place July 19-23, 2017, in Winston Salem.
After lunch, the guest speaker was Linda Sutton, Central Piedmont Organizer with Democracy NC, who provided startling statistics and educational insights about North Carolina’s new voting law, the Souls to the Polls initiative, and who can vote and how to vote.
The day ended with planning session strategies, fun and games and picture poses.
