Achievements

Official launch of WomenWorldCulture

May 4, 2014, 4 to 8 PM (Pacific Time)

Crest Theater, Sacramento, CA USA

29th annual Sacramento Community Women of Color Day/Diversity Event

Our Community In The Americas: Afro Uruguay Cultural Collaboration

 

Event Program: opening drumming by Sacramento Native American drummers; film about the Afro Uruguayan Community; discussion; Candombe Master Drummers/Dancers/Singers; intermission with refreshments + vendors/exhibitors; awards to outstanding women of color and to individuals/groups supporting justice, equality and sustainability, locally to globally; collaborative performance by The Jazz Generation band with Candombe and Native American drummers. 2014 Honorees include: Dr. Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile; Aja Brown, Mayor of Compton, California; Wonderful Davidson, Director, Multicultural Fashion Show; José Mujica, President of Uruguay; Mexican Consulate in Sacramento for Northern California Conferences for Women; Sergio Ortuño, Master Candombe Drummer and Founder, Candombe Drum School, Montevideo, Uruguay; Steven Payan, Occupy Organizer and California Activist. Others TBA. This venue seats 983 (adult tickets $15, advance; $20 at door); under 12, seniors, disabled $10. This event supports women, cultures, sustainability and social entrepreneurships. Sponsorships and souvenir program booklet ads are available.

 

29th Annual Sacramento CommunitY

Women of Color Day Diversity Event &

Women WorldCulture Network Launch

Sunday, May 4, 2013, 4:00-8:00pm

Crest Theater, 1013 K Street, Sacramento
Tickets at Box Office, Online, By Phone, Will Call

http://www.thecrest.com/calendar/expand.cfm?EventID=4395

Phone (916) 44-CREST or (916) 442-7378

  (Free on-street parking on event day)


Additional Event Information/Sponsorship/Ad Sales:

Email: info@womenofcolorday.com

 

Sacramento Women of Color Day/Diversity Events have honored more than 250 individuals and organizations in Northern California and beyond. Other programs in Stockton and Fresno have honored dozens more Californians. Programs in other communities around the country, including the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, West Virginia University, Washington State University and Marshall University have annual Women of Color Day programs. The construction of Women WorldCulture reflects the changing times and encourages more interaction among women and cultures of the world.

 

The International Association for Women of Color Day and Women WorldCulture are divisions of the social entrepreneurship, Creative Concepts Systems-- not a 501 (c)3 nonprofit.

 

WomenWorldCulture (http://www.womenworldculture.com) draws on 29 years of experience and leadership by the International Association of Women of Color Day (IAWOCD) which advocates equality and justice for women of color in the US, indigenous women of the world, and all women and members of all cultures which have been subjected to discrimination and injustices. This work has led to the development of WomenWorldCulture, a new, global network and resource focused on women, cultures and sustainability which incorporates and continues Women of Color Day (http://www.womenofcolorday.com ). Both websites are live while under construction.


 

ACHIEVEMENTS
26th annual Sacramento Community Women of Color Day/Diversity  Event
*Outstanding Women of Color and Diversity Awards

*Premiere of"Aurora," African Diaspora Music & Dance in The Americas

*Recognition of UN Declaration of 2011 as Year of African Descendants

Sunday, March 6, 2011, 4:00 to 8:00 PM @ Women�s Civic Improvement Club of Sacramento

 

Sacramento's most innovative and unique diversity event takes place on Sunday, March 6th, 2011 at the Community Center of the Women�s Civic Improvement Club of Sacramento, Inc., 3555 3rd Ave., Sacramento, CA 95817. The event honors outstanding women of color for achievements/contributions, and women, men, businesses, and organizations of all cultures supporting/promoting diversity. In the 26 years since March 1st was established as Women of Color Day, more than 250 have been honored in Sacramento. Commemorations have also been held in other California cities, 22 additional states and 5 other countries. The program includes the awards ceremony; "Aurora,"new musical show featuring African dance, Candombe percussion, music by Suzanne Brooks/The Jazz Generation Band; and recognition of the United Nations declaration of 2011 as the Year of African Descendants.

 

2011 Honorees include:
Joan Cartwright, Musician and Ex. Director, Women in Jazz in South Florida;
Courtney Dempsey, Reporter, Good Day Sacramento;
Sarah Enloe, Writer, Philippine Fiesta newspaper;
Dr. Linda Goodrich, CSUS& Dance;Moon, San Francisco multi-cultural dance project;
Kamala Harris, California Attorney General;
Indigie Femme�Nammy/Grammy nominated singers Tash Terry (Navajo) and Elena Higgins (Maori-Samoan)
Purple Moon, San Francisco Multi-Cultural Dance Project;
Pleshette Robertson, CEO, Sacramento Cultural Hub;
Angela Rosas, Community Activist.
Diversity award recipients include:
Sacramento photographer Larry Dalton; California Assembly Member Alyson Huber; Chris Lee, pianist, The Jazz Generation band; Tina Veeolet, owner, Aloha Florist;and, The Wellbriety Drummers led by Carlos Rivera..
The program theme, Aurora,"drawn from images of the Aurora Borealis to celebrate the beauty which comes from the colorful diversity of cultures. �Aurora� is also the title of the �official� Women of Color Day song. CDs: www.cdbaby.com/cd/suzannebrooks6.;
and video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTaajnhliHg&feature=channel

 

The UN has declared 2011 as the year of African Descendants. While continuing to honor outstanding women of color and men, women and organizations of all groups that celebrate diversity, IAWOCD will commemorate this historic year by providing opportunity for presentations by exhibitors & vendors who reflect interests and history of African descendants. Those interested should contact IAWOCD as soon as possible. Maia Morton and her ensemble, Umoja, will contribute African choreography, dance and drumming.. Sponsorships and Souvenir Program Booklet Advertising are available and fund the extraordinary event. Adult Tickets, on sale January 17th , 2011, are $15 in advance; $20 at door for adults; $5 for children under 12. Media pre-event interviews are available.

 

By Summer, 2011, The Women of Color Journal will be implemented to provide positive, uplifting essays, articles, stories, poems, drawings and photographs by and about women of color and those supporting diversity, justice, and cross-cultural interactions and understanding. Articles about issues and concerns of relevant interest, as well as educational and historical essays will be published. The focus of the publication will be to maintain a positive, uplifting tone throughout the publication. Biographies and autobiographies will receive early attention. Writers are being sought. Initially, writer contributions will be donations. As the site is marketed to appropriate advertisers and a stream of revenue is developed, writers will be paid at posted rates for first time publication rights, after which copyrights will belong to the writers. All editorial decisions will be made by the publisher or her designee.

 

The Jazz Generation band Promo Video may be viewed online @

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9nxW1KHvfg 

The International Association for Women of Color Day encourages those hiring bands not to hire those with no women in them. Women are so often asked to entertain for little or no compensation and are left out of the higher priced events as if non-existent

 


Future & Past Programs Honoring Women of Color & Their Supporters
 

 ANNUAL AWARD PROGRAMS

 

2010Annual Sacramento Community Women Of Color Day Diversity Event, "Symbols in Silver"

Highlights

112 Yr Old Mother Ruby Muhammad Debuted with Sacramento Band,
Suzanne Brooks/The Jazz Generation

 In Premiere of memorable show, "I Believe I Can Fly: Memories of Music And Stories."

Mother Ruby Muhammad (born 1897) performed with Suzanne Brooks/The Jazz Generation to highlight the annual Sacramento Community Women of Color Day/Diversity Awards Event on Sunday, March 7, 2010 4-8 PM at Imani Community Church of Christ, 2100 J Street in Sacramento. Exhibitors included the American Heart Association which performed blood pressure checks and gave out health information, The Black Group, A reception followed the performance and award presentations. Event Sponsors included Los Rios Community College Federation of Teachers, Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, Imani Community Church of Christ, and SMUD.

 

As of 2010, Women of Color Day commemorations have been held in 23 states and 5 other countries. The 2010 Sacramento event, "Symbols in Silver," honored 8 outstanding individuals:  Deloris Ashley, Karen Bass, Speaker, California Assembly; Roxana Borrego, Director, Sacramento Cultural Center; Aurora Grajeda, San Francisco Bay Area Journalist; Britta Guererro, Director, Sacramento Native American Health Center; Teresa Pulido, Grandmother, West Sacramento; Oprah Winfrey, actress/talk show host. A diversity award was given to Rev. Ashiya Odeye, Director, Sacramento Justice Reform Coalition.

The event is self supporting through sales of sponsorships, souvenir program booklet advertising, vendor/exhibitor spaces and inexpensively priced tickets. The International Association for Women of Color Day is a social entrepreneurship, not a nonprofit, working to promote March 1st as Women of Color Day and other diversity events. Individuals honored are outstanding women of color and men/women/organizations and businesses of all cultural/ethnic groups which celebrate diversity

 

Suzanne Brooks, CEO, International Association for Women of Color Day has a column, Women of Color," in the online publication, The Black Commentator (blackcommentator.com).

 

. 2009: 23rd Anniversary: March 1st as Women of Color Day 
 

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!

2009 Sacramento Community
Women of Color Day/Diversity Event
Sunday, March 1, 2009 @ 4:00 p.m. to  8:00pm
Christ Unity Church
9249 Folsom Blvd, (Folsom & La Riviera)
Sacramento, CA 95826

Celebrated in Sacramento since 1991, the annual Sacramento Community Women of Color/Diversity Event includes an awards program, honoring outstanding women and supporters of diversity in the Greater Sacramento area and across the nation,  will celebrate the 23rd year since its founding. Tickets for adults are $10.00 in advance, $25.00 at the door. For children, tickets are $5.00 for one or two children in advance or $5.00 per child at the door. Order by phone or mail until February 20 or arrange to pick them up.  Advance sales may be paid by Visa/Mastercard.

2009 Honorees: Precious Craft, Gospel musician/singer and Director, The Voices of Faith; Temra Costa, Program Director, Buy Fresh, Buy Local program for the Community Alliance with Family Farmers; Maria Ramirez, President Latina Leadership Network (Ohlone Community College Counselor); Lillian Sparks, President, National Indian Education Association.  Recognition for Diversity efforts will be awarded to the Interfaith Services Bureau

Program speaker, Penny Hansen, health products entrepreneur, Hillsboro, Oregon will address the theme, �Women of Color Retrospective: The Future Builds On Our Past.� The annual event is made possible by the support of local businesses and community organizations through purchases of ads, exhibit tables and advertising packages with links to the Women of Color Day website, as well as tickets.

Early supporters of  the 2009 program are: California Health Education Council�Sponsor, and CalPers (The California Public Employees' Retirement System). There is still great need for additional community support through the purchase of program book ads, exhibitor/vendor spaces and tickets. Commitments and payments are cover program expenses�facility rental, insurance, awards, entertainment, catering, printing and office expenses which must all be paid for in advance. All segments of the community are encouraged to attend this great family and community event.

Former Honorees include: Vicky Atay, Hula Dancer/Advocate; Ruthie Bolton and Yolanda Griffith, Sacramento Monarchs Basketball Team; Kekula Crawford, Hawaiian sovereignty and international Indigenous rights advocate; Essie Gilchrist, former president, Stockton African American Chamber of Commerce; Miriam Estrada, Artist; Sabrina Hocker, Singer/Leader, African Americans for Balanced Health; Members of Congress Barbara Lee and Doris Matsui; Sandy Lynch, Warrant Officer, California National Guard/served in Iraq; Sharon Parker, the founder of the National Institute for Women of Color and former Executive Director of the National Domestic Violence Network; Lula Massey, Gospel Singer; KMAX Channel 31 television reporter Tina Macuha; Elizabeth Ramos, High School Achiever; Sarah Richey, Community Activist/Women�s Civic Improvement Association; Christina Suapuia, director of the Ms. Polynesia Pageant; Betty Williams, President, Sacramento NAACP, and SISTAS�Vacaville Women of Color Organization co-chaired by Cheryl Gainey and Viola Cooper.   

A reception will follow with healthy refreshments & healthy lifestyle/active, child-friendly exhibits and information arranged by the California Health Education Council (Cynthia Robinson, Program Management Coordinator) and entertainment by The Jazz Generation�Suzanne Brooks, vocalist; Chris Lee, keyboard; Kim Nguyen, bass/keyboard/flute; drums. Support for the musical entertainment and other artist participation is made possible by the support of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. .

Women of Color Day, the first day of March annually, was established nearly 21 years ago and is growing in the number of commemorations being held in the United States and abroad.  Annual California celebrations have been held in Sacramento since 1991, in Stockton since 1999 and in Fresno. Ethnic dress is encouraged for this very special, multicultural celebration which brings hundreds of Sacramentans and others together from across the region and beyond. More historical information, including names of additional former honorees, is available online at http://www.womenofcolorday.com 

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2008:

10th Annual SACRAMENTO COMMUNITY 
WOMEN OF COLOR DAY/DIVERSITY EVENT
WAS HELD MARCH 2, 2008,
Country Club Events Center, 2600 Watt Avenue, Sacramento.
�Honoring Ancestors, Remembering Heritage�
2008:  17th Anniversary of Women of Color Day in California 

 Outstanding Women Of Color Honorees for 2008

  1. Sra. Marisa De Leon, Founder, Franklin Delano Roosevelt School in Montevideo,
    Uruguay-- first school for the disabled in Latin America (now 96)
  2. Summer Hill, Leadership that gives hope to the world for a better tomorrow.  
  3. Mother Ruth Jones. Beloved Elder and Foremother  (now 101)
  4. Jennie M. Luna, Preserving Cultures Through Dance and Scholarship
  5. Dorinda Moreno, Artist and Advocate for Human Rights and Peace
  6. Cora Mukai, Giving Hope and Healing Through Social Work
  7. Gilda Baeza-Ortego, Leadership in Education, Research and Service Through Libraries
  8. Martha A. Rodriguez, Art That Builds Community In The World
  9. Cordia Wade, Educator and Avocate for Senior and Women's Health
  10. Dr. Pat Washington, Educator and Civil Rights Leader
  11. Brenda Elenes, Visionary Community Health Advocate
  12. Gabrielle Wilson, Integrity and Achievement in Media
     
2008 Diversity Award Recipients
  1. Dr.David Covin, former Director, African American Studies, CSUS; Community Human and Civil Rights Advocate
  2. Physicians for Social Responsibility, Dr. Wang, President
  3. John L Sullivan, Roseville Toyota

The 2008 event was 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.

Women of Color Day has been celebrated in 20 states and 5 other countries

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2007:

   �The Impulse to soar�

 

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

     16th Anniversary of Women of Color Day in California

      21st Anniversary of Founding of Women of Color Day
 

Outstanding Women Of Color Honorees for 2007

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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2006  8th Annual SACRAMENTO COMMUNITY  WOMEN OF COLOR DAY EVENT

�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

 

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2005  7th Annual SACRAMENTO COMMUNITY  WOMEN OF COLOR DAY EVENT

 �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 Lim�n, 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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2004  6th Annual SACRAMENTO COMMUNITY  WOMEN OF COLOR DAY EVENT

"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.

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2003  5th Annual SACRAMENTO COMMUNITY  WOMEN OF COLOR DAY EVENT

"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.

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 2002  4th Annual SACRAMENTO COMMUNITY  WOMEN OF COLOR DAY EVENT                 

 "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, 9th 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.

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 2001  3rd Annual SACRAMENTO COMMUNITY  WOMEN OF COLOR DAY EVENT

"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, 6th 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.

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2000 2nd Annual SACRAMENTO COMMUNITY  WOMEN OF COLOR DAY EVENT

"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,  Dise�o 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, Ca�ada 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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1999 1st Annual SACRAMENTO COMMUNITY  WOMEN OFCOLOR DAY EVENT

"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. 

The Women of Color Day ceremony was conducted for the first time.

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 STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA

2006 8th 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 7th 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 6th 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 5th 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 4th 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 3rd 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 2nd 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 1st 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.

FRESNO, CALIFORNIA

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

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

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.


MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES


DETROIT, MICHIGAN

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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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

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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STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA

October 23, 1999, Central California Women's Agenda Conference               

International Association for Women of Color Day representatives promoted the observation of Women of Color Day by all California womens' groups.The Exhibit--"Spirit of Women of Color" was displayed. Event attended by leaders of nearly 100 women�s organizations and commissions.