LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Laurelton Club of the National
Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. upon
the occasion of hosting its 39th Founders' Day Sojourner Truth Award
Luncheon on March 19, 2016

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 honor the Laurelton
Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional
Women's Clubs, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its 39th Founders' Day
Sojourner Truth Award Luncheon on Saturday, March 19, 2016, at Antun's,
Queens Village, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Laurelton Club is a chapter of the National Association
of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC, Inc.);
and
WHEREAS, The NANBPWC, Inc. provides opportunities for women to
increase their leadership skills, experience governance and parliamenta-
ry procedures, and enhance their educational awareness of issues impact-
ing 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, Inc.
were: 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 Pearl Flippen 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 simi-
lar 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, Inc. 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, Inc. has grown in numbers and
scope, continuing to encourage black economic independence, and perform-
ing many needed community service activities that go far beyond the
original purpose; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Laurelton Club of the National Association
of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, 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 39 years, the Laurelton Club of the National Association of Negro
Business and Professional Women's Clubs has truly become an indispensa-
ble asset to its community; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to honor the members,
past and present, of the Laurelton Club of the National Association of
Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, 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 Laurelton Club of the National Association of Negro Business
and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its
39th Founders' Day Sojourner Truth Award Luncheon on March 19, 2016; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Laurelton Club of the National Association of Negro Busi-
ness and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc.