* " T Chronicle Profile She's climbing th By AUDREY L. WILLIAMS Chronicle Staff Writer To call Elynor Williams a crusader would probably be an honest characterization of her, for if there's a cause that's worth her time, you better believe she'll fight for it. " I om ~c *1 . uiu v-mic ui mose people wno wouldn't do anything 1 didn't believe in," she says, "or I'd be out on the corner selling pencils." That part of her is deep-seeded, she says, a seed planted by her father, a man who moved about from Louisiana to Alabama and finally to Florida whenever a good opportunity arose. Williams is director of corporate affairs for Hanes Group, making her one of a growing number of top black women executives in the country. Tomorrow, .*4** hot ftin.l aw niversary^ wittr the company who recruited her from Western Electric., where she was senior public relations specialist. Much of her free time, which isn't a lot, is devoted to championing others on, she says, giving advice and pep talks about the field of public relations and the opportunities it holds for women and blacks. She is also a feminist and proud of it, she says. And contrary to what others might believe, it's not the reason that she's reached her mid-30's and hasn't settled down with a husband, family, home and dog, she says. "I've been engaged several times," Williams says. "I'm a feminist but that has nothing to do wun it. i ao like men, but it's all about being fair. 441 grew up with double messages from my father," she says. "The strong of it was learning how to take care of yourself." ^ Both Williams' parents were educators, giving I Mr ?h 1 Almeader Theresa Ann Smyre /' 'wM of Charlotte and Lee Samuel Howard Jr. of Charlotte and ^?-mM HL^r m"1 M formerly of Winston-Salem were ^gJL J united in marriage, Saturday, J June 30, at 5 p.m. at United House of Prayer in Salisbury. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Smyre of 907 W. Horah St. She is a J graduate ot Livingstone College and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She teaches in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg school P system. The groom is the son of Mr. I and Mrs. Lee Samuel Howard Sr. of 1270 W. Sedgefield Dr. He is a graduate of Parkland High ISlfSllfBilB School and Livingstone College. He is employed by Phillip Mor- I ris. Given in marriage by her chaster, Ga., Mis father, the bride had Miss of Charlotte, Miss Patricia Nichols of Durham as Raleigh, Miss T her maid of honor and Mrs. Winston-Salem, Sharon C. Moore of Newport Wilkerson of B{ News, Va., as her matron of and Miss Ton honor. Mocksville. The groom's Bridesmaids were Miss Curtis D. Gore J Henrietta Howard of Charlotte, Va. Miss Gloria A. Howard of Ushers were Winston-Salem, both sisters of brothers, Ralph the groom. Other bridesmaids Toledo, Ohio, were Mrs. Thornton Howard III Howard of W of Winston-Salem, Miss Zelma Other usher^ wer Davis, Miss Millicent Jones and Michael Holt, Ter Miss Marsha Pruitt of Salisbury, Michael Shields* j Miss Vickey Sadler of Man- Willie Davis I] 8wjh : " " ' II im'i himi ii ir rniwi a i mini in i ihihwmi u Salaam, Morton wed at Sherry Regina Salaam of of Atlantic-Highl; Winston-Salem and Steven ficiating. Gregory Morton of Tustin, The bride is tl Calif., were married Saturday, Mr. and Mrs. Wal June 30, at a 4 p.m. ceremony at of 3818 Sawyer Prince Hall Masonic Temple, graduate ot ttenr with the Rev. Archie Richmond Greensboro and i a Locke Alterations The groom is t and Mrs. Walter f ta Ana, Calif. He North Carolina University and ij Carl Karcher Ent< The bride, giver her father, had Y Jacquelyn Salaan Salem as her mail Mrs. Glenda Gam Salem as her mati Bridesmaids we Watts of Statesvil sister, Miss Sarah Mra. Jacquelyn Morton ta Ana, Calif., \ e corporate ladder her and her sister the best there was to offer, she says. It is her father, however, that she speaks of with the greatest of admiration. He, was the founder of the now-defunct Platick Junior College in Florida. Integration destroyed it, says Williams. Looking at her now, conservatively dressed in navy blue silk and seated behind a good-sized dark wood desk, it's hard to imagine that Williams, the t J ? /*_ ^ p _ , | iiuiuv v.v.uiiuiiuv.5 duudic iiuni Dpeiman college, is the same person who racked up high school sewing awards in 4-H competitions. She says she hasn't seen her sewing machine in years. After she got her degree from the famed woman's college, Williams began what would be a series of crusades in her life! On the advice of her ? father; sfwrsayy, instead of looking for a career nr fashion merchandising, she began teaching home economics to seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders. "I took myself very seriously," says Williams. "1 had this missionary zeal and I was going to save the world. "You know," she says, "God looks out for fools and babies." Williams draws that conclusion after looking back on how she went into the inner-city , neighborhoods of Florida, seeking out parents of her students who hadn't attended school. "Nobody did that anymore," says Williams, "but I didn't know that. 1 still like teaching. That's why I go to college campuses now the first chance 1 get." A resident of North Carolina for the better part of her adult life, Williams, who holds a master's degree in communication arts from Cornell University, cante to Winston-Salem after leaving ^^Ek II ^1 I K| .:v<&^gfP9 pS 'i. .** Irs. Almeader Sin y re Howard s Frances Holt Perkins of Winston-Salem, Dar Karen Holt of ryl Jenkins of Charleston, S.C., anya Doe of Johnny Stoutamire and Eric Miss Debbie Nelson of Charlotte, Johnny Utimore, Md., McLean of Knoxville, Tenn., and ya Jones of Charles McMurray of Washington, D.C. best man was r. of Danville, The miniature bride and groom were Franco Copeland and Miss the groom's Rachel Reid, both of Salisbury. Howard of Flower girls were Misses and Sylvester Deyonae Grace and Rashanda inston-Salem. Chalk, both of Salisbury, e Sam Moore, Ring bearer was Cameron ry Johnson and Brent Hudson of Salisbury, til of Salisbury, The couple will make their fl and Tony home in Charlotte. IJHMI'JUMUOMJ Mir?i?LWUA! iwju..miJ.wa?ji.il e'jw ' : > t Masonic Temple ands, N.J., of- Melton of Salem, Va., Miss Jerrylyn Hyman of Winston-Salem, le daughter of Miss Deadra Richmond of i Abdul Salaam Atlantic-Highlands, N.J., Miss St. She is a Cynthia Porter of Booneville, lett College in Miss Trevia Glenn of East Bend s employed by and Miss LeeAnn Thompson of Raleigh. The groom's best man was his he son of Mr. brother, David Morton of Santa ylorton of San- Ana. is a graduate of A&T State Ushers were the bride's ; employed by brother, Reginald Salaam of rrprise. Winston-Salem, and Benny PatJin marriage by ton, Wayne Patton, Monroe ler sister, Miss Gambil, Lynn Sloan and Darryl t, of Winston- Williams, all of Winston-Salem. i of honor and OtheT ushers were John Watts of bil of Winston- Statesville, Paul Hogan of 'on of honor. Chapel Hill and Kenny Melton of re Mrs. Daphne Salem, Va. lie, the groom's Morton of San- The couple will make their 1rs. Charmaine home in Tustin, Calif. r fl Although she's a highly respected executive in a fast-paced career, Elynor Williams, director of corporate affairs at Hanes f^nattKVWnhJr.,, her job as a- comimmi at4on- specialist af " Carolina A&T State University's agricultural department to work for Western Electric. It was in Greensborp, in 1980, that Williams ran for the state House at the suggestion of a local senator. "I attacked with all the gusto I could muster," she says. "I covered that county like you wouldn't believe. "... Although I was known because of my volunteerism," says Williams. "I wasn't known in the political circle^, but 1 did come to be known _and respected." _ She's received many honors and awards, including a recent doctor of humane letters degree from Clinton Junior College in South Carolina. Williams has also served on numerous boards and holds membership irtto influential professional and civic organizations. Her career in public relations is high-pressured, -jjp Lartisa Oliver and Byt Lartisa Charlette Oliver and Byron Antonio Williams were married Saturday, June 30, at a 3 p.m. ceremony at the home of the groom's mother at 2220 Elbon Drive, with Elder A.W. McCloud * officiating. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Jacqueline W. Rogers of 4460 Kimball Lane and Charlie SM Oliver Jr. of Miami, Fla. She is a 1978 graduate of North Forsyth High School. The groom, son of Mrs. Sara G. Robinson of Winston-Salem * and Richard Williams of New York, N.Y., is a 1978 graduate of * j Parkland High School, previous- jy| ly served in the United States Army and is now employed by Douglas Battery. Given in marriage by her stepfather, Larry Rogers, the bride jijl had Brenda K. Richardson of Winston-Salem as her matron of , honor. Best man was the bride's brother, Anthony L. Oliver of of Winston-Sal< Winston-Salem. Flower girls Ushers were Gary Mitchell and Arrington an Romellia Orlando Williams, both Williams. Rii ? toMlli mm ? Wfammnmiaap*r?m0--* nwinti in- ?? g.'aRjjj'""- wjBawrorugMLL^M-?iij/j?m'W>j?c'^"n'-|%L,ii-,5J Ja'lf,M.<JW W?|<iWMWM?H'-^W1 Bwm BI iijAaumiWgia iaj j^gag*'^^cAu5r^m!Ljj^j|i^s^rs?KTnM>t Dance the night away in high-stepping pumps! These elegant open-toe pumps rise gracefully on high heels. They're perfect for any time you want to look your best, in fine leather accented with textured leather backs and matching butterfly bows. Black, biscuit and geranium red. 7 to 91/2 narrow and 6 to 9. 10 medium. 63.00 SIGNATURE SHOES WINSTON?SALEM HANES MALL yT /fa * The Chronicle, Thursday, July 5, 1984-Pafle A7 "N m hare with other up-and-coming executives what it takes to be successful (photo by James Parker). buT sfte continues to main tarn a leatherneck approach to it and a "go get'em" attitude, she says, because of her "workaholic and zealous" nature. The associates and friends she meets are influential. While looking for a business card of an old friend, she dumps the rest on her desk. The * -? pile includes the cards of editors from Women's Wear Day to the National Women's Political Caucus. But they're not just for souveneirs. "I believe in networking," says Williams. "We need to begin to help each other a lot more and that's particularly true about black women, even if it's 4I just need to talk to someone.' "It can get kind of lonely when you have responsibility and authority," she says. "The magic words are networking and support. Be able to walk with kings and queens and still keep the common touch." J vn A, Williams wed M mmmm *r?2niMMMHEHHHHEENPr'<'!b9H K~4l| mm ^ KBr'* 'd w5Sb a* * , o***-% ^ . v^* ^iB&''*fo- i^i-. &+^Ki "fr V. i'a ? _ 7 m B ^W V VI Mrs. Lartisa Oliver Williams jm. George Wright, were Andrea N. d Cherisha L. The couple will make their ng bearer was home in Walkertown. > Li j fi / i i^H I *JSrn WKKKKKm^ | / jfJftKk. fi'w$( S^?S^?SSwi*??i B sJH Bp jjH B 1 fiR ' | .^^Bv W ^H^RlA b ' ^^Bb 'j^HW C. ^Ha ^^kb u \i J^Hh u It W % r

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