Coleman gets humanitarian award
It's only January, but Democratic Guilford County commissioner Carolyn Coleman has been named 2007 Humanitarian of the Year by the state NAACP.
From the press release:
Coleman, the first African-American woman elected as chair of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners has a long history of contributing to civil rights and to humanitarian efforts in the state and in the nation. Active in the NAACP Youth Council in Savannah, Georgia, Coleman was one of the first sit-in demonstrators to be arrested in her hometown in the 1960’s. Coleman has held several positions as a part of the NAACP national staff---Regional Youth Director, Alabama State Director, Southeast Voter Education Director and serving as the North Carolina State Executive.
When asked about some of her accomplishments, she recounted how she led the North Carolina State NAACP in filing 13 lawsuits challenging the at-large elections of Judges, County Commissioners, City Council and School Board Members, which resulted in the election of 10 African-American Superior Court Judges and over 100 new African-American officials including the election of former U.S. Congresswoman Eva Clayton, and U.S. Congressman Mel Watt. She also noted her coordinating efforts to defeat David Duke in his bid for Governor of the State of Louisiana. As the former Special Assistant to Governor James B. Hunt for eight years, Coleman advised Hunt on policy, personnel, legislation and concerns pertinent to the minority community.
Many commissioners, including some Republicans, praised Coleman's leadership during her recent chairmanship, though Billy Yow isn't a big fan.
Click below for the whole release.
Carolyn Q. Coleman Named 2007 NAACP Humanitarian of the Year
Durham – State Conference President, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II announced today that the Honorable Carolyn Q. Coleman of Guilford County has been named the 2007 NAACP Humanitarian of the Year. Mrs. Coleman who currently serves as Secretary on the NAACP National Board of Directors and First Vice President of the NC State NAACP will be recognized at the 23rd Annual NAACP Humanitarian of the Year Banquet scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 2007 at the Durham Marriott Civic Center beginning at 7:00pm.
Coleman, the first African-American woman elected as chair of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners has a long history of contributing to civil rights and to humanitarian efforts in the state and in the nation. Active in the NAACP Youth Council in Savannah, Georgia, Coleman was one of the first sit-in demonstrators to be arrested in her hometown in the 1960’s. Coleman has held several positions as a part of the NAACP national staff---Regional Youth Director, Alabama State Director, Southeast Voter Education Director and serving as the North Carolina State Executive.
When asked about some of her accomplishments, she recounted how she led the North Carolina State NAACP in filing 13 lawsuits challenging the at-large elections of Judges, County Commissioners, City Council and School Board Members, which resulted in the election of 10 African-American Superior Court Judges and over 100 new African-American officials including the election of former U.S. Congresswoman Eva Clayton, and U.S. Congressman Mel Watt. She also noted her coordinating efforts to defeat David Duke in his bid for Governor of the State of Louisiana. As the former Special Assistant to Governor James B. Hunt for eight years, Coleman advised Hunt on policy, personnel, legislation and concerns pertinent to the minority community.
The NC NAACP Humanitarian of the Year Banquet has honored distinguished North Carolinians such as Dr. John Hope Franklin, Former National Poet Laureate Dr. Maya Angelou, Former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, and many others who have championed the cause of human rights here in North Carolina and abroad.
In addition, Rev. Barber and the NC NAACP Executive Committee announced that the Smithfield Workers from the plant in Tar Heel, NC are the recipients of the 2007 Charles A. McLean Award for service above and beyond the call of duty. For over ten years, Smithfield workers have attempted to unionize and endured horrific working conditions. The state NAACP has a long history of supporting labor movements and activity and wishes to honor the Smithfield workers for their efforts to secure economic justice and improved working conditions.
Sponsorships are still available at various levels. Contact the State Executive Director, Amina J. Turner at 919/682-4700 for more information. Tickets are $50 each and will go on sale January 20th at the NAACP State Office in Durham, 866-626-2227. The site for this year’s banquet is the Durham Marriott Civic Center located at 201 Foster Street in Durham, NC.
Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation’s oldest and most recognized civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.