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
April 25, 2020; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Lorrie Ayers-Hutchinson, President, Brooklyn Club of the
National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs,
Inc.