______________________________ 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