______________________________ 1
Chairman Phil Mendelson 2
3
4
5
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 6
7
____________ 8
9
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 10
11
____________ 12
13
To recognize and celebrate the 80
th
Anniversary of the Washington Section of the National 14
Council of Negro Women, Inc. 15
16
WHEREAS, in 1943, the first organization of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. 17
(NCNW) in the District of Columbia was the Washington Section formerly known as the 18
Washington Metropolitan Council. It was organized under the leadership of Romaine Brown, eight 19
years after the renowned educator and activist Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune founded NCNW in 20
1935; 21
22
WHEREAS, historically the Washington Section participates in NCNW’s national and 23
international initiatives and implements local service activities that make positive impacts upon 24
the lives of District of Columbia residents. Initiatives include the African American Women - “As 25
We Age” and the “Fit for Life” campaigns that were organized to promote healthy living; 26
27
WHEREAS, the Washington Section continues this legacy through volunteerism, service, 28
advocacy, and monetary donations in support of local causes in a variety of critical areas; 29
30
WHEREAS, in the area of health equity, Washington Section members have volunteered 31
at Howard University’s former Center for Handicapped Children and Youth and launched an 32
advocacy program for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The Section strengthened its 33
resolve to close the disparities in health care through its partnership with Pfizer Women’s Health 34
to sponsor an Evening Health Awareness for Today’s African American Women. Washington 35
Section members also participated in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against 36
Breast Cancer (ACS/MSABC) Walk/Run and Resource Fair and two COVID-19 Town Halls. 37
The ACS/MSABC activity focused on providing breast cancer early detection and education 38
resources for men and women who have limited access to health care. The Washington Section 39
also has provided volunteers in support of distribution initiatives and activities, such as Project 40
Giveback, the Capital Area Food Bank, and delivering Thanksgiving baskets to seniors; 41
42
WHEREAS, in the areas of economic empowerment and workforce development, the 43
Washington Section partners with Suited for Change, a non-profit organization that provides 44
professional attire, coaching, and skills training to women in need who are seeking employment. 45
Section members also participated in the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Policy and Initiatives’ 46
Women’s Equality Day in an effort to bring attention to and demonstrate support of policies that 47
eliminate pay discrimination and strengthen workplace protections for women; 48
49
WHEREAS, related to education and youth affairs, among many other projects, the 50
Washington Section created its “Mentoring Our Legacy” Program in partnership with Upward 51
Bound, hosting college prep workshops to assist District students with college scholarship essays 52
and identifying scholarship opportunities. Additionally, the Washington Section launched its 53
“Focused on My Future” Scholarship Program for graduating high school students seeking higher 54
education. Recently, the Washington Section adopted Hendley Elementary School in Southeast 55
Washington, DC, to provide financial resources and advocacy assistance; 56
57
WHEREAS, the Washington Section also engages in robust civic engagement efforts, 58
including a rich history of advocating for home rule and self-determination for the residents of the 59
District of Columbia. Additionally, members of the Section planned and implemented voter 60
registration drives and door-to-door get out the vote efforts, particularly in communities east of 61
the Anacostia River, where voter turnout has been historically low. Members of the Washington 62
Section also partnered with the National Capital Parks-East to create and complete a Dr. Martin 63
Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Beautification Project in Lincoln Park where our beloved 64
Founder’s statue is proudly located. Finally, the Section joined many other community-based 65
groups to advocate for an Earned Income Tax Credit program for District of Columbia low-66
income, working families, resulting in the passage of legislation establishing a District Earned 67
Income Tax Credit; 68
69
WHEREAS, the theme for the Washington Section’s 80
th
Anniversary is “Celebrating 80 70
Years of Service, Leadership, and Excellence by Honoring Our Past, Inspiring Our Present, 71
Transforming Our Future”; and 72
73
WHEREAS, for 80 years since its founding, Washington Section NCNW members have 74
demonstrated their commitment to NCNW’s mission in providing leadership, service, and 75
excellence in support of women of African descent and their families in the District of Columbia. 76
77
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 78
resolution may be cited as the “Washington Section of the National Council of Negro Women 80
th
79
Anniversary Ceremonial Recognition Resolution of 2023”. 80
81
Sec. 2. The Council recognizes and celebrates the diligent work and many achievements 82
of the Washington Section of the National Council of Negro Women, and salutes the community 83
service, political activism, and civic engagement that has defined its 80 years of existence. 84
85
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately. 86