NAUW to host Annual Founders Day luncheon

It’s been more than a century since colleagues Mary Church Terrell, Dr. Sara Winifred Brown, Dr. Nancy Fairfax Brown, and Mary Cromwell thought a need existed for college alumnae of color to have a forum in which to associate. As a result, these ladies became the founders of the National Association of University Women, an organization that ‘stimulates young women to attain professional excellence, exerts influence in various movements for the civic good, and promotes a close, personal and intellectual fellowship among college woman of color.’

The New Orleans Branch is certainly emblematic of these ideals and causes.

And each year they celebrate their founders with an annual luncheon. This year’s celebration is Saturday, April 20, at 11 a.m., at Lace, located in Eastern New Orleans.

Highlights of the occasion will also include sharing the spotlight of the founders with the Chapter’s selection of its “Woman of the Year,” who is Kathleen McKinney-Franks.

The 2013 honoree joined NAUW’s New Orleans branch in 1984. She currently serves as branch chaplain and is a past chair of its “Lundi Gras Gala” and will be a keynote speaker at Lindy’s Place this month.

Also sharing the spotlight that afternoon will be the organizations young adult trailblazers who are this year, Annie Jefferson, Keith Mayard, Mariah Palmer and Fabian Robinson, Jr.

Barbara H. Doublet serves as branch president and Barbara Harrison is the chairperson for the Founders Day luncheon.

Persons interested in attending the luncheon should call (504) 390-9063, (504) 214-2747, or (504) 298-8050.

This article originally published in the April 8, 2013 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.