[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 49 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING SOJOURNER TRUTH AWARDEES

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the Pontiac, 
Michigan branch of the National Association of Negro Business and 
Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., who on April 7, will hold their 
annual Sojourner Truth Scholarship and Awards ceremony and present 
awards to 12 deserving recipients.
  The Sojourner Truth Awards are given each year by the National 
Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. as a 
reminder of the endless effort which freedom demands of those who would 
be free and to recall the fact that slavery comes in many forms: 
enveloping the spirit as well as the body. In this regard, the Club 
annually acknowledges those members of the community who have shown to 
represent these ideals with dignity and distinction.
  One such award is the Club's Frederick Douglas Award, which this year 
will be given to Rev. Douglas P. Jones of Welcome Missionary Baptist 
Church in Pontiac, MI. In addition to his duties as head of the 
congregation of two thousand, Pastor Jones is one of the area's most 
influential and respected citizens. He is the founder of the Greater 
Pontiac Community Coalition, former Director of the Pontiac Area Urban 
League, and has been at the forefront of such projects as the Youth in 
Government and Business Program, and the Woodward Dream Cruise, among 
many others.
  The next award is Black Woman Achiever Award, presented to those 
women making significant strides in their professions. This year, there 
are four such people. The first is a colleague of mine, Oakland County 
Commissioner Brenda Causey-Mitchell of Pontiac. Prior to serving on the 
County Commission, she served for many years as a Trustee and 
ultimately President of the Pontiac School Board. She has also been a 
well-respected member of the city's executive staff. For many years she 
has worked diligently toward the improvement of our community. Another 
such trailblazer is Pontiac Police Captain Pamela Chambers. Captain 
Chambers is a true trailblazer: In 1989, she became the Department's 
first Black female Sergeant, and as such, she is the first to achieve 
the rank of Captain. By focusing on community policing, she has helped 
foster a stronger relationship between the city and the police. The 
third award goes to Makeda Newby. It is fitting that Ms. Newby was born 
the same year American astronauts landed on the moon; at a very early 
age, she decided that her goal in life was to fly airplanes. While at 
Tuskegee University, she studied and flew with Chief Alfred Anderson, 
one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. She graduated from Tuskegee with both 
a Bachelor's Degree and a private pilot license. She went on to the J. 
Paul Getty Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK, where she became 
a certified instructor, and the school's first Black female instructor. 
Last year she was hired by International Freight Leasing, where she 
will pilot planes filled with automobile parts throughout the United 
States and Mexico. The fourth honoree is Ms. Margarita Garcia-Boylston. 
Ms. Boylston decided in 1987 to begin a business with Mary Kay 
Cosmetics. As she built this business, she worked a full-time job, 
raised two teenaged girls, graduated with honors from Oakland Community 
College and Cleary College. As a Mary Kay representative, Ms. Boylston 
has received many prizes and rewards for her success. Recently she was 
promoted to the position of Elite Sales Director, and became Senior 
Sales Director just three months later.
  The Club's Community Service Award goes to two individuals, Cheryl 
Scott and Malkia Geni Maisha. Ms. Scott, known as Shari to her friends, 
cares very much about giving back to her community. She has tutored 
academically challenged students throughout Pontiac, and has been an 
advocate for the Michigan Animal Adoption Network and the recently 
founded Michigan Animal Protection Agency, where she serves as a Board 
member. Ms. Maisha works part-time with the Michigan Metro Girl Scout 
Council in the Pontiac School District, helping teach a curriculum that 
involves self-esteem, diversity, citizenship, and many other qualities 
that will help these young ladies grow to be well-rounded members of 
society. Ms. Maisha also serves as an Executive Board member of the 
North Oakland NAACP, and is Secretary for the Metropolitan Minority 
Chamber of Commerce.
  Shira Washington, a senior at Pontiac Central High School, will 
receive this year's Clara Hatchett Musical Scholarship. With a 3.94 
GPA, Ms. Washington is a member of the National Honor Society Softball 
Team, Drama Club, and is President of the A Capella Choir. She has been 
recognized throughout her high school career for her superior singing 
ability as well as her
  The Ombudswoman Award is given to the group's most active member, and 
this year, that person is Irma Johnson. An elementary school teacher in 
the Pontiac School District, Ms. Johnson has been a part of the Club 
for more than 20 years. In addition, she is very active in the 
community and in her church, where she serves as a member of several 
ministries and is Sunday School Superintendent. She strives to be aware 
of all activities and changes, while actively pursuing a Master's 
Degree in Reading and Language Arts.
  Another colleague of mine, Mr. Richard Williams, is being honored 
with this year's Bridge Builder Award, for his tremendous work in 
improving communication and interaction between Pontiac and the county 
administration. As Director of Community and Minority Affairs, 
reporting directly to the County Executive, Mr. Williams has proven 
himself invaluable as an advocate for the city. He has worked with 
numerous groups designed to improve our schools and develop more 
affordable housing. As an ordained minister, Richard has also been a 
vital part of the Oakland County Ministerial Alliance.
  An award of special recognition is being given to Ms. Tommaleta 
Hughes. Originally from Detroit, Ms. Hughes joined the Pontiac School 
District as a teacher, after graduating from Tuskegee University in 
1969. She taught elementary school for 15 years, sometimes serving as 
Head Teacher, operating as building administrator when the Principal 
was not in attendance. In 1984, she became Principal of Whitmer Human 
Resources Center, which two years later was recognized as one of the 26 
most improved schools in the state. She moved on the School District's 
administrative level, where she became Director of Personnel and then 
Assistant Superintendent of Personnel and Employee Relations, the 
position she held until her retirement in June of last year. Wanting to 
remain a strong advocate for children, she ran for and currently holds 
a position as a member of the Pontiac School Board. Ms. Hughes is a 
true community activist. She has worked on several local government 
boards, and has been a member of the Pontiac Optimists Club and 
Kiwanis. She is also a Life Member of the North Oakland NAACP.
  Last, but certainly not least, the Sojourner Truth Award itself this 
year will go to Mrs. Sarah Frances Grady. A Michigan native, Mrs. Grady 
is a retired computer assembly worker from Rochester, MI who selflessly 
devotes much of her time volunteering in the Pontiac community. A 
recipient of the Michigan Association for Leadership Development's 
Outstanding Volunteer Award, she has served at St. Elizabeth Home for 
42 years, helping bathe and feed clients, and also worked at the 
Pontiac Mini Police Station for several years. For 500 nights, she 
participated in a march against drugs in the city.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the National Association of Negro Business 
and Professional Women's Club's 35 year commitment to community 
service, and their mission to seek answers toward critical issues in 
the areas of health, education, employment, and economic development. 
These awardees have exemplified the highest of qualities, and I ask my 
colleagues in the 107th Congress to please join me in congratulating 
them all.




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