Outstanding women pioneers who invest time, energy and skills to groom a new generation that will ensure a better future for all will be celebrated by the Black United Fund of Illinois on Oct. 8 at its 11th annual Living Legends/Passing the Torch awards e
Outstanding women pioneers who invest time, energy and skills to groom a new generation that will ensure a better future for all will be celebrated by the Black United Fund of Illinois on Oct. 8 at its 11th annual Living Legends/Passing the Torch awards event at the Parkway Ballroom. The honorees, representing leadership by example, serve as mentors, motivate tomorrow’s leaders and encourage generational continuity.
The “Legends” are: Hattie Burton, an educator, who despite being rebuffed as a teacher in Cheyenne, Wyo., went on to teach in the military and on Chicago’s South Side, will pass the torch to her daughter, Cheryl Burton, ABC 7 news anchor; Reva Hairston, principal at Terrell Elementary School for 21 years, will pass the torch to her daughter Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th); Dr. Mahalia Ann Hines, Chicago Board of Education board member, former high school principal, president of Hip House School House (a publishing company of children’s books and other educational materials), actively involved in the Common Ground Foundation started by her son, Common, musical artist, singer, songwriter and actor, will pass the Torch to Latunja Williams, principal of Bronzeville Scholastic Institute.
A special honoree: Rosetta Daylie, a pioneer in the labor community who was on the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement. She’s mentored hundreds of young activists and is currently the only female and African American on the AFL-CIO board of directors. And, for the first time BUFI will recognize young and emerging African American leaders – Flames – whose work and accomplishments are a bright light in the community.
Two Natalie Rose Puryear Young Community Leader Memorial Scholarships will be awarded in honor of BUFI’s former vice president of communications who died in January 2010. The scholarships, funded and selected by the Puryear family but administered by BUFI, are awarded in recognition of both academic excellence and community service to high school seniors.
This year’s benefit is chaired by Elzie Higginbottom of East Lake Management & Development Corp. and Carol Adams, Ph.D., of the DuSable Museum; honorary chairs are Doris and Nikki Zollar. A reception and silent auction will be held in the courtyard of Blanc Gallery, which is part of the Parkway Ballroom. A program will follow where outstanding women-themed entertainment will be presented. NBC 5’s Art Norman will emcee. The 2011 corporate sponsors: East Lake Management & Development, U.S. Cellular and Triad Consulting. For $125 tickets, call (773) 324-0494 or visit www.bufi.org.
Newsy Names! – A fav-o-rite sistah-friend, Chicago’s own Barbara Bates, celebrates her 25th anniversary as a leading fashion designer on Nov. 4 at Chicago Illuminating Co. Count this columnist among her adoring fans! I’m RSVP-ing right now, so save my front-row seat! … Trudy Murrell promises “a funky good time and hot buttered rhythms of soul, funk, jazz and blues” this Wednesday, 6 p.m.-midnight, at Rumba, 351 W. Hubbard. In the music spotlight: Phil Seed and Gerey Johnson, guitar; Lamar Jones, bass; Chris Miskell, drums; Tim Gant; keys; and Marqueal Jordan, sax and vocals. No cover charge; valet parking … Congrats to a duo of soul sistahs, Jacqueline Austin and Stella Reid, co-owners of Nubian Concept Designs, which specializes in unique women’s clothing, apparel and jewelry – beautiful and unusual items that can be worn for both casual and formal affairs – from “W”rapsody Wraps to “Nu”Retta Jewelry. NCD is located 7863 Broadway, Suite #113, in Merrillville, IN 46410; (773) 848-3511 or (773) 383-5434; e-mail nubianconcepts@yahoo.com. The Grand Opening and Open House is this Saturday; a fashion show begins at 2 p.m. … Save the date! Vivian Durham, Ruth Wooldridge, Ruth Slaughter and Melva Samuels along with other members of the Cook County Bar Association’s Bench & Bar Spouses are gearing up for Glitz, Glimmer & Glitter, their annual scholarship luncheon and fashion show Power Unlimited on Oct. 30 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The fundraiser will also include door prizes, vendors and raffle drawings. Benefit tickets: $70 … Doris L. Odem, soon stepping down (retiring) as director of the University of Illinois Extension Urban Leadership Center, will be honored at an Appreciation Luncheon Celebrating Greatness and a New Beginning on Sept. 13 at Harambee House. Luncheon hosts: Georgia L. Smith Pearson and friends.
Fall Fashions – Community health education programs reap the proceeds when Jackson Park Hospital Women’s Board hosts 2011 Fall Fashion, its 28th Annual Luncheon & Fashion Show, on Oct. 2 at The Drake Hotel featuring “the best of Chicago designers” and the presentation of the Kay L. Murray Student Scholarship. The $75 per ticket affair begins with cocktails at 11 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon and the fashion show, presented by Style Productions and York Furriers, begins at 1 p.m.
The event will also include door prizes, a raffle, cash bar, fashion accessories booths and fall make-up demonstrations by Estee Lauder Cosmetics. Board members are Wanda Alcox Smith, Margo Brooks-Pugh, Darleen Burton-Jones, Adell Garrett, Constance Geracre, Camille Givens, Bobbie Jones, Angela Yates and Doris L. Zollar, founder. Also on board: Risa Davis, Nancy M. Graham and Carla A. Griffin, fashion committee co-chairs.
Happy B’day – to Eveline Horton, Nicole Johnson, Rosalyn Morganstein-Atchison, Robyne Robinson, John Conrad, Bonita Dixson O’Bannon, Bruce Montgomery, Rosalind Towns, Melanie Sanders, Denise Jordan Walker, Rael Jackson, Paul Dejoie, Cynthia (“CJ”) Maddox, Nora Blakely, Thomas Jarrett, Sheila Lucas, Jean Ann Durades, Audarshia Townsend, Mikal Clay, Pamela Staples and Greg Kelley … And more! We spent Labor Day weekend in Baton Rouge, La. for a gala b’day celebration of a dear pal and Carrousel sister, Leandres (“Lee”) Christopher, former Chicagoan (a City Colleges retiree), who now calls Phoenix, Ariz. “home.” The fabulous three-day fete was hosted by her sis, Gladys Gulliory, and other loving kinfolk. Windy City-ites on hand: Mildred Porter, Sarah Ayers, Vivian Durham, Gwen Harden, Verna Watts Shannon, Hubie Bush and Mary Watts. We had a ball, y’all!
Keep it Movin’ – Dr. Elton Tinsley and Ald. Leslie A. Hairston (5th Ward) are inviting us along with our family and friends to attend and participate in a free Zumba in the Park Class on Sept. 16, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., on the East Lawn of the South Shore Cultural Center, 71st Street and South Shore Drive. The class will be conducted and instructed by Victor V., the Zumba King, and registration and stretching starts promptly at 5:30 p.m.
It promises to be a fun and entertaining way to get fit — great for any level of fitness. Heard about it but haven’t tried it yet? Just remember it’s absolutely free! Co-sponsored by Ald. Hairston, Dr. Tinsley and Associates and Korba Fitness. Kindly RSVP ASAP to (312) 222-0030. Your space is wait
ing.
Back to the Future – Community activist Jacky Grimshaw hosts a 33 (and 1/3) birthday party for the Center for Neighborhood Technology on Sept. 30, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., at Green Home Chicago, 213 N. Morgan, to reflect on 33 years of making cities better places to live and help envision what the next 33 will look like! How will we get around? What type of energy will power our homes and offices? How much access will we have to clean water? What will people wear?
Come dressed as if it were the year 2044 – whatever that means to you! Enjoy delicious drinks and hors d’oeuvres, dance to futuristic tunes by DJ Please and recycle and participate in the silent auction with items donated by local artists and companies! Space is limited! Purchase $33.33 tickets at www.cnt.org/events/33years/tickets.
Copyright 2011 Chicago Defender
About Post Author
