Achievements

ACHIEVEMENTS
Future & Past Programs Honoring Women of Color & Their Supporters

Add your community to the growing list of those commemorating Women of Color/Diversity Day. Be a community which honors its own outstanding women of color and those men, women, organizations and businesses of all backgrounds who support diversity.

Watch for news of the planned World Center for Women of Color Day and Diversity--Coming Soon!

The 2008 event is cosponsored by the University of California Davis, Sacculturalhub.com and Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. Supporters include Cosumnes River College, Women's Health Specialists, Dr. Glenn Middleton (dentist); California NOW; K.I.N.K.S., International; Television CBS13/CW31; CalPers: California Organ Donor Association; and Sacramento Monarchs/Maloof Organization. Refreshments by A Chef's Affair and other caterers/restaurants.

The program includes a reception with live entertainment by The Jazz Generation, Sacramento based ensemble, which will present a promo video of its "Great Women of Jazz" show.

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2007:

From the words of Helen Keller: "One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.
2007: 9th Annual SACRAMENTO COMMUNITY WOMEN OF COLOR DAY EVENT

Vicky Atay, Hula Dancer
Essie Gilchrist, Organizer, Stockton Women of Color Day annual event
Miriam Estrada, Artist
Sabrina Hocker, Singer/African Americans for Balanced Health
Sandy Lynch, Warrant Officer, California National Guard/served in Iraq
Lula Massey, Gospel Singer
Elizabeth Ramos, High School Achiever
Sarah Richey, Community Activist/Women’s Civic Improvement Association
Betty Williams, President, Sacramento NAACP
Susan Jim, Native American Activist
SISTAS—Vacaville Women of Color Organization co-chairs Cheryl Gaines and Viola Cooper

Recognition was also be given to

Dennis Yep, Artistic Director, Interactive Asian Contemporary Theatre
Chicano Consortium
The Affirmative Action Register, with a readership of 3.5 million, will be recognized for 32 years promoting fair employment and as the first National Sponsor of Women of Color Day.

For the first time, 2 posthumous awards were also be made--to Marie Fielder and Maya Miller.
Marie Fielder, Berkeley, CA. PhD’60, pioneering educator and founding board member of Fielding Institute, was the first African-American woman with a doctorate to teach in the Bay Area, died May 17, 2002. She was 85 & one of the first researchers to prove cultural bias in IQ tests.

Maya Miller, philanthropist, donating millions, she championed women's rights & many environmental and progressive causes for decades, died May, 2006, in Nevada. She was 90.

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“Moving Mountains: Women of Color Health Initiatives” March 5, 2006, Ben Ali Shrine, 3262 Marysville Blvd., Sacramento, CA.

Honorees: Dorothy Enomoto, PhD., Educator, Lina Fat, Executive Chef/Restaurant Owner, Mother Ruby Muhammed (108 years old), Dorist Matsui, Member, US Congress, Bonnie Pannell, Sacramento City Council Member, Betty Vasquez, Television Reporter, Martha Pena, Businesswoman, Christina Suapaia, Coordinator, Ms. Polynesia, Janelle Okamoto, Sacramento Sirens Football Team, Yolanda Griffith, Sacramento Monarchs

“The Harmony of Colorful Voices” March 6, 2005, Ben Ali Shrine, 3262 Marysville Blvd., Sacramento, CA. Speaker: Faye Kennedy, Activist; Center for Collaborative Planning

Honorees: Genoa Barrow, Senior Staff Writer, Sacramento Observer Newspaper; Heddy Chiang, Vice President, California Bank & Trust; Cheryl Dickerson, Recording Industry Consultant; Kathryn Lee, Co-Owner, Observer Newspaper; Nicole Limón, Theater Artist; Linda Ng, President, Organization of Chinese Americans; Juni Kalahikiola Romuar, Kumu Hula; Dr. Charlesetta Stalling, Educational Consultant/Trainer; Roleeda Statham, Public Affairs Director, KMAX Channel 31, Cable 12; Seng Veng, Comunity College Student; Michelle Walker, Executive Director, Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission; Tommie Whitlowe, Past President, National Council of Negro Women; Mary Youngblood, Flutist, winner Native American Music Awards and Grammies. Program support provided by Beverly Fuentes, Irma Oliver, Darlene Oliver.
Entertainment by The Jazz Generation

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"All Women Are Artists," March 5, 2004, Cosumnes River College Forum, 8401 Center Parkway, Sacramento, CA. Speaker: Suzanne Brooks, CEO, International Association for Women of Color Day.
Honorees: Debra Paular Aban, Sacramento Bee Newspaper staff; Fran Barker, Field Representative, California Assembly Member Darrel Steinberg; Charlotte Fadipe, Reporter, KOVR Channel 13; Diana Hill, Motivational Teacher, Sacramento YWCA & Salvation Army; Lucy McKinney Jackson, Annual Women of Color Day Volunteer; Patshiab Lor, Hmong Community Student Activist; Ikuyo Sakai-Sanchez,Japanese Language Teacher, Laguna Creek High School; Brittany Wiltz, Taylor Street Elementary School Student. Program support provided by Marion Lewis/ National Visiting Teachers Association, Tommie Whitlowe/National Council of Negro Women.

"Women Affirming Strength, Unity and Vision,” March 2, 2003, (PBS) KVIE Channel 6, 2595 Capital Oaks Drive, Sacramento, CA. Speaker: Toni Martin, President, Sacramento Chapter, Blacks in Government. Honorees: Edna Segboyle Davis, Executive Director, Women’s Civic Improvement Club; Marisa Gutierrez, Art Director, Galeria Posada; Wanda Rose Anita Teresa LaVoun, Board member, SRO Collaborative; Richina Lee, Student, Luther Burbank High School; Carol McNeal, Owner, Carol’s Books; Christine Hong Nguyen, Deputy Administrator, Asian Resources Inc.; Eliza Oun, Student, Luther Burbank High School; J. Andrea Porras, Founder, Movimiento Molcajete; Linda Revilla, Film Director, “Untold Triumph; Dorothea Theodoratus, Emeritus Faculty, California State University Sacramento Anthropology Department; Janet Wong-Acorda, Teacher, Women’s Civic Improvement Club; and Marie Young, Health for All Operations Manager. Dai Renee, singer. Ballet Folklorico de Adelante.

"Women Warriors Work For Peace” March 3, 2002 (PBS) KVIE Channel 6, 2595 Capital Oaks Drive, Sacramento. Speaker: Kekula Crawford, Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Rights Activist. Performances by Buffalo Lodge Singers and Poet Lindsay Haley. Honorees: Leona Begay, Honored Elder of Paiute,Yokut and Tabatulabal Tribes and Capitol Area Indian Resources; Sister MA. Josephina O. Coronado, 21 year member, Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary of the Phillippines & teacher St. Anne School; Kekula Crawford, Activist; Susan Dakuzaku, 1999-2000 President, Asian/Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Co-Chair of CAPITAL; Rayola Eder, board member, Sacramento Urban Indian Health Program; Angelica Rene Guzman, Grant High School Student; Stacy Hill, Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff; Barbara Lee, U.S. House of Representatives, 9^th District of California); O’fa Mann (Founder/President, Tongan Language Association); Adina Medina (program manager, La Familia Counseling Center Project Make A Difference). Recognition to Suzanne Brooks as a Women of Color Day Founder. Buffalo Lodge Singers. Lindsay Haley, Poet. Singer Virginia Dawson. Hula by Amy Cornellier and Lori Cornellier.

"United, Committed and Working for Change" March 4, 2001, (PBS) KVIE Channel 6, 2595 Capital Oaks Drive, Sacramento, CA. Speaker: Deann Borshay Liem, Filmmaker, "First Person Plural." Honorees: Beki Batres, Health Care Assistant, Eskaton Village; V.S. Chochezi and Staajubu, mother-daughter poets--“Straight Out Scribes”; Alice Chan, Associate Health Program Advisor, California Health Services Refugee Section; Mona Foster, Native Hawaiian founder of Hui O’ Hawaii; Ruthie Bolton Holifield, player, Sacramento Monarchs Basketball Team; Deborah Ortiz, California State Senator, 6^th District; Karen Massie, Television reporter, Sacramento News 10; Elvie Nava, California State University Sacramento High School Equivalency Program; Jane Maria Pak, board member, Korean-American Community Association; Ying Xiong, Hmong Community Service Worker; Melody Campo, Davis High School Senior and Girl Scout Senior Planning Board. Balinese Dance Performance: Virginia Putu Knutte. African Drumming: Umoja Sisters.

"Rising with the Morning Star—Essence of Luminescence," March 5, 2000. (PBS) KVIE Channel 6, 2595 Capitol Oaks Drive, Sacramento, CA. Speaker: Bette Vasquez. Television Journalist. Program co-sponsored by Micros and Business Solutions of Los Angeles, Diseño Design, Creative Concepts. California NOW (National Organization for Women) and WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Environment) exhibited. Performances: Amy Cornellier, hula; Reggie Graham, jazz keyboardist; and Taiko Dan drummers. Honorees: Barbara Baker, Spirit Woman, Wintun Tribe; Leona Cheung, Chinese Community Center; Amy Cornellier, Hula Teacher & Owner, Brick Oven Pizza; Dolores Huerta, Co-founder, United Farmworkers Union; Priscilla Ramos Hunter, Chair, Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians; Mary Latu, Community Leader/Tongan Choir; May Lee, Executive Director, Asian Resources; Marion Lewis, President, National Visiting Teachers Association; Tina Macuha, Reporter, KMAX-TV, Channel 31; Walter Mae Mikes, Former State President, National Association of Colored Women's Clubs; Rosie Perez, Interim President, Cañada College; Bobbie Waters, President, African Americans for Balanced Health; Mary Watts, Founder, TLC Soup Kitchen; and sisters, Swapna and Rotna Penheiro, Holy Trinity Elementary School students

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"Poems and Praises,” February 28, 1999 Los Comales Restaurant, 4827 Rio Linda Blvd., Sacramento, CA. Honorees: Wei An, Sacramento County Engineer; Xochitl Arrellano, Channel 19; Celia Cruz, Celebrated Entertainer; Karen Guilford, member WO'SE Community Church; Assata Hatchett, age 6; Jennie Hernandez, former Executive Director of WEAVE—Women Escaping a Violent Environment; Sharon Ito, Reporter, KChannel 10; Pauline John, Sacramento Urban Indian Health Project; Leticia Landeros, Sacramento community; Xochitl Miranda, Aztec Dancers; Miriam Monges, CSU Chico Faculty; Juanita Ontiveros,Labor Activist; Sharon Parker, President, American Institute for Managing Diversity. Funding support for the event was provided in part by the New Works Awards Program of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission with support from the City and County of Sacramento. This was an Affiliated Event of the National Town Meeting for A Sustainable America, sponsored by the President's Council on Sustainable Development and the Global Environment & Technology Foundation.

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STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA

2006 8^th Annual STOCKTON COMMUNITY WOMEN OF COLOR DAY DINNER PROGRAM Stockton’s African American Chamber of Commerce hosts Stocktone's annual Women of Color Day Program and Dinner.

The Women of Color Honorees: Thel Atterbury, Aeko Yoshikawa, Dr. Evia Briggs Moore, Shirley Washington, Shirley Andrews, Debra Sanders, Erma Young, Patricia Cunningham, Cynthia Summers, Georgia Bradford

Junior Women of Color Honorees: Anayeli Fuentes, Ashley Hampton, Laretha Griffin, Lawanna Griffin, Natasha Vital, Akitra Moore

2005 7^th Annual STOCKTON COMMUNITY WOMEN OF COLOR DAY DINNER PROGRAM Stockton’s African American Chamber of Commerce hosts Stockton's annual Women of Color program with a dinner honoring Women of Color in the Greater Stockton area.

The Women of Color Honorees: Amelia Adams, La Juana Bivens, D. Marilyn Fullard, Linda Giles, Patricia Munson, Willie Mae Quinn, Gloria Nomura, Janie Burroughs Reddish, Theresa Seward, Evelyn Tolbert.

Junior Honorees: Jordan Gilchrist, Lincoln High School, Hoa Cao, Morgan Elam, St. Mary's High School, Qiana Amiad Moore, University of California Los Angeles, Zephani N. Smith, Franklin High School.

2004 6^th Annual STOCKTON COMMUNITY WOMEN OF COLOR DAY DINNER PROGRAM Stockton’s African American Chamber of Commerce hosts Stockton's annual Women of Color program with a dinner honoring Women of Color in the Greater Stockton area.

The Women of Color Honorees: Ada Edith Brown, Terri Duvall, Dawn Goodwin, Augustine V. De La Rosa, Patricia LLoyd, Megham Elam, Monique Amous Roe, Yvette Shields, Constance Smith, Carolyn Walters.

Junior Honorees: Meghan Elam, St. Mary's High School.

2003 5^th Annual STOCKTON COMMUNITY WOMEN OF COLOR DAY DINNER PROGRAM Stockton’s African American Chamber of Commerce hosts Stockton's annual Women of Color program with a dinner honoring Women of Color in the Greater Stockton area.

The Women of Color Honorees: Robin Ashgar, Ranya Haddad, Clemmie Hunt-Owens, Robin Lilly, Dr. Cynthia L. Morgan, Rose Sandoval, Marian Williams, Evelyn William-Ary.

Junior Honorees: Celeste Trahan, Edison High School.

2002 4^th Annual STOCKTON COMMUNITY WOMEN OF COLOR DAY DINNER PROGRAM Stockton’s African American Chamber of Commerce hosts Stockton's annual Women of Color program with a dinner honoring Women of Color in the Greater Stockton area.

The Women of Color Honorees: Ruby Barnes, Louisa Birrueta, Wilma Mae Blalock, Carol N. Hadley, Darleine Jones-Longmire, Lelslie Baranco Martin, Lois McDonald, Ellen Powell, Wilma Okamoto-Vaughn.

Junior Honorees: Ms. Andrea Lee, Bear Creek High School.

2001 3^rd Annual STOCKTON COMMUNITY WOMEN OF COLOR DAY DINNER PROGRAM Stockton’s African American Chamber of Commerce hosts Stockton's annual Women of Color program with a dinner honoring Women of Color in the Greater Stockton area.

The Women of Color Honorees: Stephanie Guardino-Clark, Beverly Foster, Gladys Ikeda, Hazel Jackson, Janet Lilly, Cecilia Moran, Erma Peterson, Dr. Margaret K. Williams.

2000 2^nd Annual STOCKTON COMMUNITY WOMEN OF COLOR DAY DINNER PROGRAM Stockton’s African American Chamber of Commerce and President Essie Gilchrist host Stockton's first Women of Color program with a dinner honoring Women of Color in the Greater Stockton area.

The Women of Color Honorees: Dolores Huerta, Activist, United Farm Workers; Dr. Patricia Hatton, OB/GYN; Linda Tregle, Professor of Dance, Delta College; Paula Camp, CEO, Lincoln Village Academy.

1999 1^st Annual STOCKTON COMMUNITY WOMEN OF COLOR DAY DINNER PROGRAM Stockton’s African American Chamber of Commerce and President Essie Gilchrist host Stockton's first Women of Color program with a dinner honoring Women of Color in the Greater Stockton area.

The Women of Color Honoree: Rebecca Nabors.

2003 1st Annual WOMEN OF COLOR DAY PROGRAM AT CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERITY, FRESNO WOMEN'S CENTER

1988 to 2005 Women of Color Day: How It All Began at The University of Pennsylvania

Sixteen years ago the National Institute Women of Color proclaimed March 17 as the first National Women of Color Day, calling on all women and men to remember not only the deserving well-known achievers but also the "ordinary women who made extraordinary contributions to their families, communities and the world." In l988 Suzanne Brooks, then director of affirmative action at Penn State and a member of NIWC's Board of Directors, wrote several women at Penn, including her then-counterpart JoAnn Mitchell, to urge them to join.

A small group of women organized Penn's first annual celebration, held at the Penn Tower Hotel on March 1, 1988. There, 65 women decided to institutionalize the celebration and invite students. faculty and d staff members of the community to attend. As word spread about Penn's Women of Color Celebration, attendance grew. By 1991, attendance had reached 350. For this year's Women of Color Day, last Friday, there were 500 celebrants--the maximum that Penn Tower's ballroom can take-- and a waiting list of over 200, according to one of the coordinators, Winnie Smart-Mapp.

Since its inception Penn's Women of Color Day Celebration has included awards for deserving members of the Penn community who have made a difference in the lives of women of color. Marcia Rafig, former General Manager of the Penn Tower Hotel, was the first honoree. In 1990, a special category was established for student honorees. The first Certificates of Merit for students, faculty and staff were awarded in 1991. In 1991, Dr. Helen O. Dickens was nominated for the faculty/staff award--and in the course of giving it, it became clear to the planners that "her lifetime achievement set a standard to which most of us could only hope to aspire. Therefore, it was with great pride that the Helen O. Dickens Lifetime Achievement Award was established and presented to its namesake at the luncheon in 1991. Subsequently, the Dr. Helen O. Dickens Lifetime Achievement Award has only been given to exemplary candidates whose long history of service to women of color in the Penn and Delaware Valley communities merited such an honor," said Sheila Horn, chairperson for 1997. Dr. Dickens headed Ob/Gyn at Mercy Douglass Hospital, then joined Women's Hospital, which was later acquired by Penn. She pioneered the development of teen pregnancy and medical minority affairs programs. She maintains her practice, continues to teach, recruits students, and works tirelessly to increase the presence and permanence of women of color at Penn.

Women of Color Day Planning Committee, c/o Office of the Vice Provost fir University Life.

1999 National Town Meeting for a Sustainable America sponsored by the President's Council on Sustainable Development and the Global Environment and Technology Foundation and held in Detroit's Cobo Center.
The International Association for Women of Color Day participated in the May 2-5 event. Thousands attended the workshops, exhibits and discussions. IAWOCD premiered its exhibit, "Spirit of Women of Color" depicting the evolution and history of Women of Color Day. Videos of previous Women of Color Day programs were shown at the IAWOCD booth, including "From the Heart" a Sacramento Channel 31 produced video story of 6 year old Assata Hatchett whose cheerful spirit shines despite the effects of the rare Maple Syrup Urine Disease.

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September 22, 1999, "After The Hate"—town meeting discussion of hate crimes at Sacramento (PBS) Channel 6 KVIE. International Association for Women of Color Day representatives participate. Initial broadcasts of program were: Friday, September 24, 1999, 8:00pm and Sunday, September 26, 1:00pm.

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