Honor Brooklyn Women's Club

Senate Resolution No. 3104 BY: Senator PARKER COMMENDING the Brooklyn Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its 53rd Annual Founders' Day Observance Awards and Scholarship Luncheon on April 25, 2020 WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to recognize and acknowledge those vital organizations within our midst who have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Brooklyn Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its 53rd Annual Founders' Day Observance Awards and Scholarship Luncheon to be held Saturday, April 25, 2020, at Gargiulio's Restaurant, Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Club is a chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC); and WHEREAS, The NANBPWC provides opportunities for women to increase their leadership skills, experience governance and parliamentary procedures, and enhance their educational awareness of issues impacting the black community through volunteerism; and WHEREAS, The trailblazing concept of a national organization of black business and professional women was first developed in 1934 by the late Emma Odessa Young, a realtor from New York City and a member of the New York Club of Business and Professional Women; and WHEREAS, In July of 1935, Ollie Chinn Porter, President of the New York Club, built on the idea and extended an invitation to other local clubs organized as Business and Professional Women's Clubs, to join and form a national organization; and WHEREAS, The extraordinary and visionary founders of the NANBPWC included: Emma Odessa Young, Ollie Chinn Porter and Effie Diton of New York City; Bertha Perry Rhodes, Josephine B. Keene and Adelaide Flemming of Philadelphia; and Goldeana Pearle Flipping of Atlantic City; and WHEREAS, After a year of meetings, the first convention was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, from July 9-11, 1936, at the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church; the aim of this newly formed national organization was then, as it is today, to attract women of high caliber to organize similar clubs within their communities; and WHEREAS, The NANBPWC's daring and inspiring goals were to share their experiences and exchange information, to protect their interests, and to encourage and develop opportunities for black women in businesses and professions, high aspirations indeed given the realities of the time; and WHEREAS, The founders of the NANBPWC were owners, managers, college graduates, and other professionally licensed women, who had managed to realize some measure of personal success at a time when very few black people had businesses or professions; many were still deep in the throes of the depression, and there was no national movement to improve the lot of black Americans; and WHEREAS, Over the years, the NANBPWC has grown in numbers and scope, continuing to encourage black economic independence, and performing many needed community service activities that go far beyond the original purpose; this year marks 75 years of S.I.P "Sisters Inspiring Progress"; and WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of President Lorrie Ayers-Hutchinson, the members of the Brooklyn Club, in the tradition of their bold founders, serve with a spirit, faith and determination that is unparalleled; and WHEREAS, Through its diligence and exemplary endeavors over the course of 53 years, the Brooklyn Club, has truly become an indispensable asset to its community; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to honor the members, past and present, of the Brooklyn Club, who have labored so conscientiously to improve the quality of life for the community it serves; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the Brooklyn Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its 53rd Annual Founders' Day Observance Awards and Scholarship Luncheon on