By Gwendolyn H. Daniels
The historic South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club held its 65th Annual Founders’ Day celebration on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Magnuson Grand Hotel in DeSoto.
Members gathered dressed in their yellow attire trimmed in sapphire blue accessories to denote the 65th celebration. The ballroom was filled by 11 a.m. when Mistress of Ceremony and Co-Chair Ollie Gilstrap began the program. President Gwendolyn H. Daniels welcomed the waiting audience and delivered the occasion reflecting the rich history of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. and the local South Dallas BPW Club. South Central District Vice Governor Terri O’Neal Ford, Ph.D. brought brief greetings on behalf of the District and the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc.
The organization’s official flower is the Yellow Tea Rose. Following the greeting, members held a Yellow Rose Candle Lighting Ceremony led by Club Members Carla Dennis and Tia Locke-Simmons. The ceremonial attendants were Club Members Lynnetta Williams and Judge Shequitta Kelly who conducted the lighting of candles. To conclude the ceremony the entire membership, beginning with new members and ending with Past Presidents and Gwendolyn H. Daniels, the 2017-2019 President, each placed a Yellow Tea Rose in an enormous vase located at the front of the beautifully decorated ballroom.
Sierraleone and Company entertained the audience while Club Members Jayne Reuben, Ph.D., Marion Hill-Hubbard, Patricia Carroll, Sharon Martin and Ethel McNeal adorned their 1954 outfits and prepared for what became a show-stopping performance entitled “A Day in the Life of Founder Sara J. Holbert Sears.” Assistant Chaplain Sharon Martin delivered the blessing of the food and guests were again entertained by Sierraleone and Company during lunch. Life Member Birdie Smith was recognized as a Yellow Rose Recipient for her 20 consecutive years of membership in the South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc.
The culmination of the celebration came with 1st Vice President Dr. Lindy Perkins introducing three distinguished women who received some of the organization’s most prestigious awards. President Daniels presented Mrs. Monica L. Smith their 2019 Professional Woman Award. Ms. Diedre L. Hardin received the group’s 2019 Mabel Meshach White Business Woman Award, and Vice Governor Terri Ford, Ph.D. presented the Association’s highest award, the Sojourner Truth Award to Ms. Clara E. McGinnis. Finally, President Gwendolyn H. Daniels was installed into the Club’s Hall of Fame (reserved for Club Past Presidents) as she nears the completion of her administration on August 31, 2019.
The celebration ended with remarks from Founders’ Day Chair Marion Hill-Hubbard who acknowledged Co-Chairs Faye Collins and Ollie Gilstrap, along with Founders’ Day Committee Members Merle Carmouche, Patricia Carroll, Winstona Chadwick, Carla Dennis, Cora Ford, Jacqueline Harrison, Gwendolyn Hunt, Frances Langston, Linda Lydia, Brenda King Murphy, and Yvonne Upton. President Daniels recognized Founders’ Day Chair Hill-Hubbard and her Committee, all guests, Club Members, Ombudsmen and the South Dallas Youth Club in attendance before calling for Assistant Chaplain Sharon Martin to deliver the closing prayer.
For more information on the South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc., please visit its website at: southdallasbpwc.org; Facebook page: southdallas1954; Instagram: SouthDallas1954; or email the club at: southdallas1954@yahoo.com.
