By Gwendolyn H. Daniels
A record-breaking $60,000 in scholarships is what the historic South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc. launched a campaign last fall to raise by the close of the 2023- 2024 fiscal Club year.
Dr. Lavern J. Holyfield, president, and Atty. Gwendolyn E. Hunt, luncheon chair, introduced the idea of a “Donate $6o” campaign to the membership and Club sisters compelled family, co-workers and friends to join them in donating towards this outstanding goal.
For the first time in Club his- tory, $60,000 in scholarships was awarded at the 60th V. Alyce Foster Trailblazer Luncheon.
With the completion of this outstanding accomplishment, 12 high school graduates are scheduled to begin receiving funds this summer as they enter their 2024 Fall college semester. Recipients from the Dallas metroplex area were: Michael Akinnibosun (Cedar Hill Collegiate High School); William Anoka (Grand Prairie High School); Isaiah Gardner (Skyline High School); Ray C. Gulley, III (Rowlett High School); Ava Horton (James Martin High School); Miles Johnson (Barack Obama Male Leadership High School); Jourdan Jones (Faith Family Academy); Abiba Moncriffe (DeSoto High School); Xyler Myles (South Oak Cliff High School); Skylar Phifer (South Oak Cliff High School); Reginald Turner, II (Naaman Forest High School); and Xavier Wright (Lakeview Centennial High School).
Another highlight of the event was the awarding of trailblazer honors and a keynote speech from Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA).
In her address, she praised the leadership of her old friend whose funeral she attended in Dallas earlier this year, the Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson. She also recognized Johnson’s predecessor Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) for the work she has been doing during her freshman year in Congress.
Constantly interrupted because of applause, Waters talked about the work done under the Biden-Harris administration and stressed the importance of voting and being involved.
The 75-member South Dallas BPW Club of the South Central District is a 70-year member of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc.
Find out more about the work of this organization by visiting the website at southdallasbpw.org or contact members at southdallas1954@yahoo.com.
