City and county officials turned out for the Washington branch of the Key Women of America’s 17th annual scholarship banquet earlier this month.
Recognized were last year’s local scholarship recipients: Khadira Smith who attends University of North Carolina Greensboro; Alexis Spencer, North Carolina A & T; and Jamal Moore, North Carolina A & T.
“Our mission is investment in children and community service,” said Emma Howard, who established Washington’s branch of the organization in 1994.
To that effect, scholarships are given to several up and coming area students each year, and this year, the importance of education was stressed by banquet speaker, Minnie Anderson. Anderson is a retired Washington, DC, educator, a community activist and is also known as “Miss Minnie” on her local radio show on WOOW 1320AM in Greenville.
“What was unique about this year — we always try to integrate youth — but we paid their way and invited 20 students to come,” said Chynna Bonner, a member of Key Women and leader of the NAACP youth council and Southside’s service organization Sophisticated Ladies. Students from those organizations were invited to attend the March 9 banquet at the Bishop James Woolard Fellowship Hall.
Key Women of America was organized nationally in 1954. Locally, the organization serves the community through support of agencies like the Beaufort County Boys & Girls Club and Beaufort/Hyde Partnership for Children, in addition to delivering food and other goods to people in need.
To learn how to become a member of Key Women of America, contact Emma Howard at 252-975-5795.