The National Council of Negro Women Launches Visionary Strategy Declaring "A New Agenda For A New Age"
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of its 80th
anniversary, the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) revealed a "new
agenda for a new age," vowing to take urgent action around education,
health, economic empowerment and public policy in an effort to build a
stronger Black America.
During welcome remarks at the 14th annual Uncommon Height Gala recently, NCNW National Chairperson Ingrid Saunders Jones
shared the organization's new forward-looking vision under her
leadership. She called the series of strategic priorities "Four for the
Future" and outlined the following objectives:
- Educating and training young women and girls for the future workforce, with a special focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
- Continuing NCNW's historical focus on health concerns in the African American community
- Promoting economic empowerment and entrepreneurship and important issues like financial literacy and short- and long-term financial planning
- Developing new partnerships to encourage young African American men and women to embrace the values of NCNW founders
"Our overarching priority is to
build on our legacy of advocating for African Americans through public
outreach and increasing the efforts around social engagement, civic
participation and public policy review," Jones stated. "We are more
committed than ever to strengthen the African American family and build
our communities. That can only be achieved by education, economic
empowerment, public policy and collaboration."
As one of the oldest organizations
dedicated to advancing opportunities for African American women and
their families, NCNW is an "organization of organizations" with 240
community-based and collegiate sections, 37 affiliates, connecting 3
million women worldwide. Jones said it is through its vast network that
the organization will be able to achieve its goals with greater impact
while attracting more young people to take on NCNW leadership.
"It is only through working
together that we are able to reach, influence and effect major change,"
she said. "We are stronger together."
Dorothy Height Hat Collection Goes on ExhibitOne of the first initiatives to support NCNW's "Four for the Future" plan includes a three-city tour showcasing Dr. Dorothy Height's
legendary hat collection kicking off in the spring of 2016. The tour
called "Messages of Our Mothers" will travel across the country and
serve as a forum to dialogue with young African American men and women
about the values and messages Black mothers share to help children
succeed and survive in society. The conversation will focus on the core
values of respect, education and financial stewardship as a vehicle to
build strong families and communities.
"Dr. Height's mother, Fannie Burroughs Height,
always stressed the importance of dressing for respect. It was a
lesson and value that she carried with her, her entire life," said the
Honorable Alexis M. Herman, the former U.S. Secretary of Labor, close
friend of Dr. Height and senior advisor to NCNW. "We hope to instill
the same values in today's young people."
Following the "Messages of Our
Mother" tour, the hats will go on display at the Smithsonian Institute,
Herman announced. Select hats from the collection of 250 will represent
eight themes from Dr. Height's life: historical; gifts; special
occasions; NCNW moments; organizational partnerships; halos; her
favorite color – lavender; and lastly, the future. "The Future"
features only one hat – the last hat made especially for Dr. Height that
she was never able to wear because of her death in 2010. The red hat is
symbolic of her vision and hope that NCNW future generations would
embrace the organization's core values.
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds HonoredNCNW
also presented the 2015 Uncommon Height Gala Crystal Stair Award to
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds for his outstanding achievements in the music
industry and contributions as a passionate philanthropist. In addition
to supporting other worthwhile organizations, including the United Negro
College Fund (UNCF), Carousel of Hope, VH1 Save the Music, David Foster
Foundation and Mike Milliken Prostate Cancer Foundation. He is also a
former national spokesman for Boarder Babies, an organization
passionately supported by Dr. Dorothy Height. He has also helped raise significant funds for a transitional home, The Little Blue House, in Washington, D.C.
From its inception in 1998, the Uncommon Height Gala has presented various individuals with the Uncommon Height/Crystal Stair
Award for exemplifying the spirit and tradition of Dr. Height through a
lifetime of service to others. Edmonds joins a distinguished list of
past honorees, including: Congressman John Lewis, Oprah Winfrey, Sidney Poitier, Catherine Hughes, Vernon Jordan, Dr. Johnnetta Cole, Quincy Jones and Marian Wright Edelman.
About NCNWThe National Council of Negro Women is a Washington, D.C.-based
international non-profit organization making a difference in the lives
of women, children and families throughout the world through research,
advocacy, and community-based services and programs. For more
information, please visit www.ncnw.org.
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Read the full story at UnRatedMagazine.com
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