Published On: Tue, May 5th, 2015

Local Coalition of 100 Black Women Marks 10th-Anniversary With Luncheon

By Dwellie Striggles

In 2005, a group of African-American professional women in southern Palm Beach County created an organization that would draw upon each other’s strength to help fellow women address critical service issues in the areas of health, education, and economic empowerment.

On May 9, the women – known as the, South Palm Beach County Chapter – will observe their 10th anniversary with a Hat & Brim Luncheon. The event, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Benvenuto Restaurant (Boynton Beach), will include a parade and contest of hats and a ceremony to honor the charter members.

“This event promises to be a memorable experience for our members and guests,” Eula Mason-Berry, chapter president, said in a news release. “As an organization dedicated to uplifting women, this Hat & Brim Luncheon gives us an opportunity to honor and show appreciation to the dynamic women whose tireless service to their communities often goes unrecognized.”

Among the charter members are educators, attorneys, medical professionals and corporate businesswomen who represent all ages and economic backgrounds, organizers said.

Karen Alleyne-Means, speaker, coach, author and editor-in-chief and publisher of HERLIFE Magazine, will be this year’s guest speaker. The award winning entrepreneur works to help women achieve their passion, purpose and vision.

The luncheon is the organization’s annual fundraiser to support its programs and efforts in the community.

“The [proceeds] from the luncheon will be used [to provide] back-to-school supplies, Thanksgiving and Christmas gift baskets for the senior citizens and needy families,” said Cassondra Thaddies, a member of the local chapter and development manager at Redbird Advanced Learning, a company which offers educators tools and resources for personalized classroom instruction.

These women have played an active role locally by hosting a voter registration drive, coordinating the 2015 All People’s Day Diversity Festival, sponsoring a baby shower for the You Mom Program to help pregnant girls, and hosting financial literacy seminars for women.

The women will continue to provide a national voice that addresses issues to enable African-American women and other women of color to effect positive change for our families and for this great country, Mason-Berry said.

The local affiliate is rooted in the national organization, which dates back to the winter of 1970 in New York City when 24 black women began meeting in their homes to assess the problems and opportunities left behind in the wake of the turbulent 1960s.

Led by visionary Edna Beach, they formed the Coalition of 100 Black Women and for the rest of the 1970s, they slowly but persistently worked to master root causes of issues that affected their families, their communities and themselves.

In 1981, with more than 500 members throughout New York City’s metropolitan area – far in excess of the symbolic “100” in its title – the members decided to expand beyond the boundaries of New York City.

As the Coalition gained recognition, black women from other parts of the country aspired to duplicate its mission and programs in their own geographic areas, according to the organization’s Website.

Today, the organization has grown to between 7,000 and 10,000 women in 62 chapters across the United States and in London, Jamaica, and the Bahamas.

Tickets are $50. For tickets or more information, contact Ora Chester at 561-371-1849 or Thaddies at 561-502-0504.

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