Staff Report

The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW), Rockford Section, will present “A Tribute to African American Women: Past & Present: from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday, April 30, at Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St., Rockford.

Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Barbara Jordan and founder of NCNW Mary McLeod Bethune will be just a few of the sisters of the “past” whom local women will portray.

NCNW will also pay tribute to local women, who represent the “present.” They are: Estelle Black, Leona Charles, Judge Gwyn Gulley, Ann Nesby, Dr. LaVonne Sheffield, Frances Walker and Michelle Williams. NCNW will also recognize the first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, who has achieved many accomplishments in her own right.

The lessons learned from these women Past & Present are something we should acknowledge and honor. What would life have been like if there was no Harriet Tubman, the conductor of the Underground Railroad? There would be no NCNW without Mary McLeod Bethune, Michelle Williams and Ann Nesby are Rockford women of the present who are singers, actresses, Grammy Award winners and international entertainers.

NCNW is honored to acknowledge and demonstrate its appreciation for the contributions of these African-American woman and believe this celebration will let these women know our lives are greater because of their advocacy, courage, commitment, activism and motivation.

Women being honored are as follows:

Past Freedom Sisters: Shirley Chisholm, portrayed by Maleac Hubbard; Mary McLeod Bethune, portrayed by Stella Adams; Septima Poinsette Clark, portrayed by Flossie Hoarde; Fannie Lou Hamer, portrayed by Janelle Wright; Dorothy Irene Haight, portrayed by Norma Joseph; Barbara Charline Jordan, portrayed by Fannie Owens; Rosa Louise McCauley Parks, portrayed by Paulette Gilbert; Betty Shabazz, portrayed by Mable Holmes; Harriet Ross Greene Tubman, portrayed by Vickie Richard; Ella Fitzgerald, portrayed by Beth Ann Beal; Sojourner Truth, portrayed by Jamie Turner; Ida B. Wells-Barnett, portrayed by Karen Portis; Madame C. J. Walker, portrayed by Madeleine Sherod.

Present Women: Estelle Black–Assist. Director, Rockford Public Library (retired), co-founder of Rockford Section NCNW

Leona (Horton) Charles–Active member of Jefferson-Horton American Legion

Judge Gwyn Gulley–17th Judicial Circuit

Ann Nesby–Actress, singer, Grammy Award winner

Michelle Obama–Wife of President Barack Obama and first lady of the United States of America

Dr. LaVonne Sheffield–Recent Superintendent of Rockford Public School District 205

Frances Walker–Member of National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Rockford Section

Michelle Williams–Former member of Destiny’s Child vocal group, presently actress and entertainer.

From the April 27-May 3, 2011 issue