NAACP marks its accomplishments at dinner

Thursday, 29 October 2009 09:20

ANSONIA — The Ansonia National Association of the Advancement of Colored People had much to celebrate Friday at the 22nd annual Freedom Fund banquet, centered around the theme, “100 Years . . . The Struggle Continues.”

The event, held at John J. Sullivan’s in Ansonia, marked the 65th anniversary of the local NAACP branch and the 100th anniversary of the national NAACP organization. Both groups are committed to guaranteeing basic civil and human rights among African Americans.

Much more has to be done in the struggle, said Keynote speaker Roger Vann, senior vice president of Field Operations and Membership for the National NAACP.

Vann noted that 100 years ago, an average of one African-American was lynched in this country every week, and blacks in some districts could only cast ballots if they answered correctly how many soap bubbles were in a bar of soap.

The Ansonia NAACP was founded in 1944 after community churches and organizations held meetings and fund-raisers to help defend a young African American man who had been accused of raping a white girl. A New Haven lawyer was hired, and after many court hearings, the young man was found not guilty, according to NAACP life member Lily Douglas.

The accomplishments of the NAACP have been great, Vann said.

If it weren’t for the efforts of the organization, “we’d still be sitting in the back of the bus,” he said, and Friday’s dinner where blacks and whites sat together at dinner tables could never have happened.

Black people now hold seats in the U.S. Congress, and the country elected its first African American President, Barack Obama.

Ansonia NAACP President Greg Johnson, Vice President Tameka Mack and Parliamentarian Naomi Wallace presented awards to people who “work diligently to empower our community.”

Honorees were Elder and Mrs. Richard L. Saunders, pastor and assistant pastor of Star Bethlehem Church in Ansonia; the Ansonia High School Human Relations Club; Griffin Hospital; and Valley Gazette Editor Susan Hunter, who won the journalism award for commitment to objective journalism in the Valley community.

The Saunders distribute food for Thanksgiving dinner to residents in need, and the student-run Human Relations Club organizes activities and programs to reduce prejudice and discrimination.

Hunter has written extensively in the Valley Gazette about the plight of residents in the Riverside Public Housing as plans proceed to demolish the complex and other racially charged issues.

Griffin Hospital, under the leadership of President and CEO Patrick Charmel, has instituted services that reach out to the African-American community in the Valley.