[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 3, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E295-E296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF FRANKIE DRAYTON THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 3, 2010

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate 
the life and achievements of my dear friend Frankie Drayton Thomas, who 
died on February 27, 2010, in West Palm Beach, Florida from a sudden 
heart attack. She was 81 years old. My thoughts and prayers go out to 
her son, James Thomas of New Carrollton, Maryland; daughter, local 
attorney Iola Mosley; sister, Lillie B. Drayton; brother, James 
Drayton; and the rest of her family and friends at this most difficult 
time.

[[Page E296]]

  Frankie Drayton Thomas, known to all as ``Frankie,'' was born in West 
Palm Beach, Florida to Iola and Frank Drayton in May of 1928. She 
attended public schools and graduated from Industrial High School as an 
honor student in 1946. In 1950, Frankie graduated from Howard 
University in Washington, D.C. and went on to earn a Master's Degree in 
Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University.
  A pioneer in her own right, Frankie became the first black college-
trained social worker hired by the State of Florida's Department of 
Public Welfare. In the 1960s, she helped improve the lives of the less 
fortunate as a social worker in Washington State and, later, the Glades 
community. After years of hard work and dedicated service, Frankie rose 
to an administrative position in the Florida Department of Family and 
Youth Services. She retired from the Department of Health and 
Rehabilitative services as Director of Resource Development and 
Volunteer Services in 1995.
  Frankie was a ``Renaissance woman,'' also devoting herself to many 
political, social, and family endeavors. In June 1951, she and her good 
friend Gwendolyn Baker Rodgers co-founded Charmettes, Inc., an 
international organization 19-chapters-strong that unites women in the 
name of community strength. One of the many projects and services that 
she initiated as 1st Executive Director of the Charmettes is the annual 
contribution to the Howard University Cancer Research Center. From 1981 
to present, the Charmettes have contributed nearly $350,000 dollars to 
this effort.
  Furthermore, Frankie was the founding president of the Northwest 
Democratic Club in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She has served on the 
Board of Directors of the Urban League and the Board of Directors of 
Southeast Hospice. In fact, she was the first African-American female 
in the country to head a Hospice Board of Directors and also served on 
the Board of Directors of the Girl Scouts of America. Frankie was also 
a member of Delta Sigma Theta and served as a Parliamentarian of the 
Broward County Chapter.
  Well-known for her political savvy, she organized and executed many 
political forums and helped to elect many candidates to office, 
including myself, as well as most of the Broward County Commissioners 
and school board members, Governor Bob Graham, Sheriff Ken Jenne, 
Attorney General Bob Butterworth, and President Bill Clinton.
  Madam Speaker, Frankie was a social worker, public servant, community 
leader, activist, mentor, and philanthropist. Above all, however, she 
was a beautiful person whose compassion and spirit touched countless 
lives. A great voice for humankind has been lost. Frankie was my friend 
and she will be missed dearly.

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