National Coalition of 100 Black Women Announces Greater Gainesville Chapter
A multi-faceted group of 83 socially conscious and activist women will be inducted into the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Greater Gainesville, FL Chapter. The chartering ceremony, to be held on Saturday, November 1, in Gainesville, will mark the local chapter’s emergence among the city’s advocacy thought leaders.
According to Mrs. Florida Bridgewater-Alford, Chartering President-elect, “The chartering of the Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., in Greater Gainesville provides an even greater vehicle for women of this community to fortify their combined resources and efforts to promote and strengthen the empowerment and economic sustainability of women and girls.”
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. was founded in October 1981 in New York City. Its mission “is to advocate on behalf of Black women and girls to promote leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education, and economic empowerment.” NCBW currently has 63 chapters with a membership of more than 3,500 women representing 24 states and the District of Columbia.
The Coalition’s membership includes a diverse group of women: physicians, attorneys, educators, journalists, accountants, clergy, municipal court judges, private entrepreneurs, university administrators, corporate managers, vice presidents, artists, media personalities, labor leaders, public relations specialists, retired law enforcement, and elected officials. This cross-section of dynamic, progressive women reflects the membership in each chapter of the Coalition, and the newly chartered Greater Gainesville, FL, is no different. The chapter will have members that will cover service areas in Alachua, Marion, and Columbia counties.
The keynote speaker will be the NCBW National President, Virginia Harris, a 30-year executive member of the organization who consistently leveraged her career and life to drive impactful change, holding pivotal roles such as First Vice President of Programs, Vice President of Finance and Fund Development, and National Treasurer. Harris retired from the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners in July 2006 as County Auditor, after two decades of distinguished service. President Harris’ leadership has earned her numerous awards and recognitions, including the Presidential Volunteer Service Award Medal, the Legacy Impact Award for Leadership & Advocacy, and recognition among the Atlanta Business League’s 100 Most Influential Women.