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A RESOLUTION commemorating the Lexington-Fayette NAACP branch for 106 1
years of service. 2
WHEREAS, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 3
(NAACP) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. The 4
NAACP currently has over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well 5
over 2 million activists; and 6
WHEREAS, the NAACP was founded in direct response to the oppression, racial 7
discrimination, and disenfranchisement of Black people; and 8
WHEREAS, Mrs. Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beatrice Cooke Fouse (1875–1952), a 9
committed social activist and a member of the National Association of Colored Women 10
(NACW) and the founder of the Phyllis Wheatley Y.W.C.A. in 1920, who later became 11
President of the Kentucky Association of Colored Women (KACW), was instrumental in 12
the establishment of the Lexington-Fayette chapter of the NAACP; and 13
WHEREAS, local member citizens worked tirelessly to establish the local branch in 14
Lexington and the first NAACP general meeting of the Lexington-Fayette branch was 15
held on January 30, 1919; and 16
WHEREAS, on March 4, 1919, the Lexington chapter received a letter indicating 17
that the national body of the NAACP had approved the establishment of the Lexington-18
Fayette branch; and 19
WHEREAS, for 106 years, the Lexington-Fayette NAACP branch has been at the 20
forefront of advocating for civil rights, ensuring equitable access to education, healthcare, 21
employment, and housing as well as fostering political, social, and economic justice for 22
all people regardless of race; and 23
WHEREAS, through organizing protests, litigation, lobbying, and public education, 24
the Lexington-Fayette NAACP branch has been instrumental in dismantling the 25
structures of segregation and discrimination, paving the way for future generations to 26
continue the fight for racial justice and equality; and 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 1998
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WHEREAS, as we mark the 106th birthday of the Lexington-Fayette NAACP 1
branch, we honor the resilience, courage, and tireless efforts of those who have 2
contributed to this movement, past and present, as well as renew our commitment to 3
carrying forward their vision of a world in which all people can live with dignity and 4
without fear of discrimination; and 5
WHEREAS, the Lexington-Fayette NAACP branch continues to stand resolutely 6
against systemic racism and injustice, advocating for transformative change in laws, 7
policies, and institutions to create a future of equal opportunity for all, regardless of race 8
or background; and 9
WHEREAS, on this special day, we reflect on the ongoing need for the work of the 10
Lexington-Fayette NAACP branch, recognizing both the progress made and the 11
challenges that remain in achieving true racial equality and justice in Lexington and 12
across this great Commonwealth; 13
NOW, THEREFORE, 14
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 15
Kentucky: 16
Section 1. The members of the Senate, both individually and collectively, 17
commemorate the 106th anniversary of the Lexington-Fayette NAACP branch and honor 18
the vision, perseverance, and leadership of those who laid its foundation to advance the 19
cause of civil rights for all people of the Commonwealth and beyond. 20
Section 2. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 21
Resolution to Senator Reginald Thomas for delivery. 22