SF Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women
Thanks Sponsors & Announces 2014 Tea!
It was a glorious time of hats, tea, pomp, circumstance and purpose! The SF Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women kicked off Women's History Month 2013 with its Eighth Annual "Bridging the Generations Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea, with the help of major sponsors Lennar Corporation, California Pacific Medical Center's Breast Health Program, Cosmopolitan Baptist Church and KPIX. Renel Brooks-Moon, broadcast veteran and announcer for the San Francisco Giants, emceed the event.
"With Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi joining us, Keynote Speech by U.S. Trade Commissioner Teresa Cox and our honorees, it was a wonderful occasion that would not have been possible our major sponsors," said Dr. Maxine Hickman, President of the San Francisco Chapter, National Coalition of 100 Black Women. "I'd like to thank everyone involved from our sponsors and honorees to program participants and our audience. Next year, 'The Multicultural National Coalition of 100 Black Women in San Francisco Weekend,' will be March 1-2, 2014."
The annual tea held at the historic Fairmont Hotel is the
main fundraiser for the organization's developing "Bridging the Generations
Employment and Job Training Program," conceived by Jackie Wright of Wright Enterprises. This year's honorees were: Alecia DeCoudreaux, President, Mills College, Oakland, CA. Janice Edwards, Award Winning Talk Show
Host Felecia Gaston, Founder,
Performing Stars of Marin Naomi Kelly,
San Francisco City Administrator, Eva
Paterson, Founder, Equal Justice Society Marilyn French Speller, SF Meals on Wheels, Mary Dixon, Tax and Foreclosure Specialist, and Kathryn J. Summers, Registered Nurse. In addition to the honor and trophy from the San Francisco Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, the honorees received awards and acknowledgements from Congresswoman Pelosi, California State Senator Mark Leno, California Assemblyman Leland, The City and County of San Francisco Mayor's Office, and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
"Congratulations to Dr. Hickman, President Emeritus and Founder I. Lee Murphy Reed, and all the members
of the San Francisco Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women for
their achievements -- from the 'Sister's Keeper' workshop examining the impact
of the economic downturn on women to the 'Bridging the Generations Employment
and Job Training Program,'" said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. "Your contributions have transformed lives in
San Francisco, and your efforts will continue to inspire young people to strive
for success, succeed, and thrive in our city and across our country." Pelosi also briefly spoke about the
heavy impact of the "Sequester" on women and her experience at the Rosa
Parks Statue dedication just a few days before the tea.
Also, California State Senator Mark Leno and San Francisco Supervisor Scott Wiener attended.
Traditionally, The Tuskegee Airmen are honored annually at the tea. 81 year-old Tuskegee Airman Benjamin Reed was part of a special presentation of rare photographs that were donated to the NCBW San Francisco Chapter. Before the recent fanfare of George Lucas' Red Tails, the Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea has been a forum where the Tuskegee Airmen were recognized for their contribution. Airman Benjamin Reed is the husband of President Emeritus I Lee Murphy Reed.
Keynoter, Teresa Cox, first African American elected to the Ohlone Community College Board in 50 years, who also announced her candidacy for the California State Assembly, shared the importance of women helping each other and the impact of women in her life like her aunt Effie Lee Morris, the first San Francisco African American librarian, who propelled her a career that spanned engineering to working in the White House; the audience enjoyed an array of talent. From Ricardo Scales, Opera Diva Hope Briggs, youth performers-singer Shanelle Silas and piano virtuoso E'vana, the event had everyone talking about joining the festivities next year.
Media coverage of the event included KCBS Radio, KTVU, ABC 7 and Post Newspaper Group. Click here to see story by reporter Carla Thomas. Lance Burton of Planet Fillmore Communications videotaped the event. Click Here to See the Video.
For more information about the National Coalition of 100 Black Women San Francisco Chapter, visit www.ncbwsf.org