Phillips honored at NANBPW Founder's Day Luncheon

Southeast District Governor Martha Works King presents the Sojourner Truth Award to Donna Phillips. (T-G Photo by Micky Pietkiewicz) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Martha Works King, governor of the Southeast District, was the guest speaker at the luncheon. "[President] Obama, [Martin Luther] King and [Rosa] Parks all had one characteristic in common -- they all wanted a better America for us and they had the courage to make that vision a reality," she said.

"This club is steeped in history and community service. We are American women who must do what we can to help our children to learn. Education is key, preparation is the password."

King presented the Sojourner Truth Award to active volunteer Donna Phillips.

Mai Dee Hendricks opened the program by introducing Kay Rose, former editor of the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, as mistress of ceremonies.

Rose shared a few funny facts about women with the group.

"Some are pleasantly plump, while some are irritatingly thin," she said, drawing many laughs from the crowd.

The chosen song for Saturday's luncheon was "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Following the music, Ora Walls gave the invocation and Doris Smith welcomed members and guests.

Mary A. Brame, with the help of Jabbar Buchanan and Carolyn Buchanan, then gave a PowerPoint presentation on the club's history. The National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women's Clubs was founded in 1935. The emblem is the world in the hands of women and Sojourner Truth is the national matriarch.

The Shelbyville club was founded in 1991 by Hendricks. An "In Memoriam" slide was dedicated to Frederick Hendricks, Mai Dee's husband, who was "always willing to assist us," said Brame.

The district theme for the club is "A New Day, A New Time, A New Direction: Let's Join In--Action Builds Confidence." HEED (Health, Education, and Economic Development) is the acronym for the club's approaches.

Attendees at the 18th annual Founder's Day Luncheon sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing." (T-G Photo by Micky Pietkiewicz) [Order this photo]

For health, the club held a health fair, for education, the club gave scholarships, and for economic development, the club held a job fair.

The club's major project is the Gilliland Historical Resource Center, a house named in honor of James Gilliland, a former slave. The center is located at 803 Lipscomb St.

Lunch followed the club's history presentation. Guests were entertained with a beautiful song by the King family while eating.

Phillips, the award recipient, has been married to Darryl Phillips for nearly 21 years. She is the mother of Dylan Phillips, 17, and Dustyn Phillips, 10. Donna is a past volunteer with Meals on Wheels, United Way, Awana Ministries, Bright Temple Youth, Habitat For Humanity in Shelbyville and New Orleans, the Luis Palau crusade, the Bell Buckle Volunteer Firefighters Auxiliary, National Parks Service, Cascade soccer, and the Obama campaign. She is a current board member with the Center for Family Development and the Gilliland House.

The club presented scholarships to 2009 high school graduates Ayanna Petrie, Daniel Tillman, and Dylan Phillips. The candle lighting and rededication ceremony, which was led by Hendricks and June Taylor, club president, followed the scholarship presentation.

Walls closed the program with a benediction.