'} PERIODICAL^
1 E CAROLINA INDIAifcl/OICE
' ublishedeach Thursday by First American Publications, Pembroke, NC
- VOLUA ? 47 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21,1996 TWENTY-FIVE CENTS
Kristi Elena Woods, Lumbee
Woman: Medicine Woman
- by Barbara Braveboy-Locklear
Special to Carolina Indian Voice
-When Kristi Elena Woods, 24,
&as in the third grade in elementary
gchool she knew back then she would
study medicine as an adult and become
a physician. The Lumbee
woman says there was no particular
event in her early life which influenced
her to become a doctor other
than the f&tt her mother, the former
Elowyn Bray boy, is a registered nurse.
When Woods's parents moved
from Oxford in Granville County
back to their native Robeson County,
she enrolled at Pembroke Elementary
School and never lost sight of
her goal of becoming a medical pro- ,
fessional. In addition to her parents,
she got help from a lot of good teachers.
Among them was the late Lynn
Johnson Bowen, Woods's fourth and
fifth grade teacher at the elementary
school.
"She really made us think as students
At the time I hated her academic
assignments which required
us to compare and contrast," Woods
says of her beloved teacher who died
in an automobile accident when the
student was in Bowen's fifth-grade
class. "But today I really appreciate
all she made me do and draw on
many of the study skills she taught
me," Woods continues.
Woods excelled, and honors followed
her through junior high school
where she was a Beta Club member.
At age 14, she was area spelling
champion and became one of two
North Carolina finalists to participate
in the National Spelling Bee
Championship held in Washington.
D.C. After completing 10th grade at
West Robeson Senior High School,
she entered the North Carolina School
of Science and Math in Durham from
where she graduated in 1990.
Woods earned her undergraduate
degree from Duke University, her
mother's alma mater. There the aspiring
physician dove into pre-mcd
studies and says one course in par- "
ticular caused fleeting thoughts of
becoming a high school teacher in
stead of a doctor. "Organic chemistry
was by-far the hardest course I took
in undergraduate school. It was awful,"
she comments.
In the summer of her thirdyear at
Duke University, Woods participated
in the Medical Educational Development
Program (MED) wherein sne
studied medicine over a 9-week period
at UNC School ofMedicine. The '
summer before, Woods participated
in the Duke In Paris Program which
aaffordcd her a 6-weeks stay in Paris,
France. The Biology/French major
says the experience allowed her an
opportunity to study French culture
firsthand. A Dean's List student, she
was graduated from Duke in 1994.
"I was scared todeath before I ever
got there," Woods says of entering
the School of Medicine at the University
of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill. "I'd heard that the curriculum
was so difficult that there would be
no time for anything other than academics,"
she continues. The third
year medical student says she spent a
lot of time her first semester try ing to
figure out how things worked...how
they go wrong and the second semester
forgetting all details and remembering
concepts. Holiday visits home
to Pembroke provided much-welcomed
respites from her demanding
schedule during this academic period.
The summer following her first
year of medical study found Woods
as a medical assistant in the MED
program.
She says her second year of medical
school was not quite as difficult
because she learned new methods of
study which enabled her to grasp
increasingly difficult scholastic materials.
Now in her third year, she must
' soon decide an area of speciality. She
recently completed a surgery rotation
and really likes the area of medicine,
"In surgery you can see immediate
results/Knowing you can fix
something is very gratifying," she
comments.
The Lumbee woman says she'd
like to return to her ancestral land to
practice medicine in a private practice
if her specialty is one which
Robeson County can support. "If I
fall in love with trauma surgery, then
I probably would not come back
home," she laments
"When Indian people go away
and get special training and don t
return to their homeland to give service,
thenthcproblcm is compounded.
If we choose not to help, it becomes
a drain on the area," she debates
Woods spent six weeks this summer
in Robeson County where she
worked with Dr. Joseph Roberts in
his Lumberton family practice.
Woods isthe daughter of Murphy
and Elowy n Brayboy Woods of Pembroke.
Pembroke First
Church Selects
Lay Leader
Every church possesses those
members who unselfishly give their
time and talents with a heart of love
and sincerity.
Pembroke First United Methodist
Church recently selected Mrs.. Dollie.
Lowry as lay leader.
Mrs. Lowry has served on several
committees and is presently serving
on the pastor-pastor relations committcc,
church historian, and on the
family ministries council. She is active
in United Methodist group, suppotts
the children and youth and
provides guidance and support to the
younger and newer women of the
church.
Fairgrove classes
plan reunion
Fairgrove classes of 1950's thru
1%0's are planning a trip to Disney
World, in February 1997. For more
information call or write to:
Lena H. Oxendinc
'205 Sunnyvale Dr.
Wilmington, N.C. 28412
-(910)799-1195
"The Buck
Stops Here!" to
be Presented
The electrifying,spirit filled, life
changing, Gosjxl play "The Buck
Stops Here!" will be in performance
at Sandhills Youth Center on Hwy 20
iri Mceain, NC West of Raeford, NC.
This performance will begin at 6:30
pm on Nov. 24 admission is free. For
ipore information or booking call
910-865-5252 or Glenn Sutton 910424-8713.
! Come and you will be blessed
Twanda is the daughter of Jane
Jones Thompson and Herbert Jr.
Thompson orHubcrt, NC. She is the
{granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard
Jones of Maxton, NC and the
late Mary Bell Dial Jones.
She is a junior at Swansboro High
School and plans to attend college to
pursue a degree in law and psychology.
,
; * :
Looking Back....
This is the Senior Class of Prospect United Methodist Church taken during the late 1970s.
Shown left to right, seated, are: Mr. Rand Bullard, Mr. Mack Bullard, Ms. Rency Barton, Ms.
Eunice Bullard Locklear Ms. Mary Ellen Bray boy; standing left to right: Ms. Magnolia Lock!ear,
Ms. Charlotte Jacobs. Ms. Emma J. Moore Bullard; Ms. Marie Sampson Moore; and Mr.
Oakwind Brooks Mr. Rand Bullard served as teacher of that class
TawndaThompson Attends National
Young Leaders Conference
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Miss
Tawnda Thompson of Hubert has
been selected to attend "The National
Young Leaders Conference"
from October 29 to November 3,
1996, in Washington D.C. The National
Young Leaders Conference is
a unique leadership development
program for high school students
who have demonstrated leadership
potential and scholastic merit.
Tawnda, a Junior at Swansboro High
School will be among 330 outstanding
National Scholars attending the
conference from across America.
The theme of the National Young
Leaders Conference is "The Leaders
ofTomorrow Meeting the Leaders of
Today". Throughout the six-day conference,
Tawnda will interact with
key leaders and news makers from
the three branches of government,
the media and the diplomatic corps.
Highlights of the program include
welcoming remarks from the Floor
of the United States House of Repre
scntativcs and a panel discussion
with prominent journalists at the
National Press Club. Scholars will
visit foreign embassies and receive
policy briefings from senior government
officials. Tawnda may also meet
with her Senators and Representatives
or an appointed mcmberof their
staff to discuss important issues facing
Hubert and the nation.
To complement these special
meetings and briefings, Tawnda will
participate in a number of leadership
skill-building activities. In one activity,
"If I Were President", students
role-play the President, members
of the Cabinet and representatives
form Capitol Hill who must
respond to an international crisis
involving Russia. Culminating the
NationalYoung Leaders Conference
is the "Model Congress", in which
Scholars assume the roles of United
States Representatives by debating,
amending and voting on proposed
legislation for an official language
and immigration reform.
ThcNational YoungLeadcrsConfcrcnce
is sponsored by the Congressional
Youth Leadership Council, a
nonprofit, nonpartisan educational
organization. Founded in 1985, the
Council is committed to "fostering
and inspiringyoung people to achieve
their full leadership potential." Over
375 Members of the United States
Congress join this commitment as
members of the Council's Honorary
Congressional Board of Advisors.
Each year, only 7,000 outstanding
youth nationwide may participate in
the 20 scssionsof the National Young
Leaders Conference.
"The conference provides the opportunity
for students. likcTawnda,
to distinguish themselves a<
tomorrow's leaders," said John
Hincs, Council Executive Director
"Scholars not only gain knowledge
and experience in the nation's capi
tal, they leave with a sense of accom
Silishment and as increased ability t<
ace the challenges of the future."
i . s I
Pembroke Business and Professional Women's Club celebrated BPW
Week October 20-26. Several members were honored for thier leadership.
They included Rose Marie Lowry-Townsend, Co-Principal of Pembroke
Middle School and former NCAE President; Vicki Locklear, newly elected
Register of Deeds; Glenna Hicks, NACE-RAE president; and Dorothy
Blue, former teacher andformer BPW president
Shown left to right: BPW President Yvonne Barnes Dial, Rose Marie
Lowry Townsend, Vicki Locklear, and Glenna Hicks.
Business and Professional Women fs
Club Celebrate BPW Week
by Yvonne Barnes Dial
The Pembroke Business and Professional
Women's Club celebrated
BP W week October 20-26 with a special
program, providing food for senior
citizens and a dance.
Sunday began the week as members
attended Prospect United Methodist
Church for worship service.
Monday, the club held its monthly
meeting with District V Director,
Charlene Phillips, as guest speaker.
Mrs. Phillips shared the philosophies
and the many means of reaching out
and providing fund to many who are
in need.
Several presentations were presented.
Dorothy Blue was honored as
Woman of the Year. Glcnna Hicks,
NGAE-RAE president, Vicki
Locklca r. Register of Deeds, and Rose
Marie Lb wry Town send, Co-Principal
of Pembroke Middle Also, also
received awards as outstanding
women of the club.
Wednesday, cake and ice cream
were served to senior citizens at
May nor Manor. A breakfast and devotion
at Linda's Restaurant began
the final events for the week on Saturday
at 7:30 p.m. a dance was held at
the Pembroke Jaycec Hut with.Ricky
Lowiy serving as D.J. various businesses
sponsored one half hour and
hour time slots as music was played
during these specific time frames.
Scholarships to improve and enhance
educational development for
women will be provided to selected
women from special fund-raisers organized
by the Pembroke BPW.
November 4 the Club met again
with a special program on self defense
for women. Johnnie Woodcll,
a karate instructor, was the special
guest who presented and demonstrated
simple and basic steps women
may use to defend themselves if they
are in danger.
MR. Woodcll as assisted by two of
hisstudcnts.MatthewDial andBlakc
Bullard who demonstrated various
defense techniques.
Some practical and basic defense
acts included striking the attacker on
their shin, grabbing forcefully in the
face with a pointed key. forceful
pulls of the thumb, stamp of the foot
with heel upon attackers foot, jab in
the ribs, thrust at lower section of
attacker's neck with a pointed finger,
and pulling of the ear, hitting upon
bony portions of hands, and wrists,
or a hit between the eyes.
Gwen Dial Locklear Seeks
Seat on LRDA Board
Gwcn Dial Locklcar of Hoke
Count)- has announced her intention
to seek a scat on the LRDA Board of
Directors, representing the newly
created district of Hoke and Scotland
Counties. The election will be heldThursday,
December 5 and voting
will be by enrolled members of the
tribe only.
Locklcar has a degree as a Paralegal
Specialist which she obtained
from Horry-Georgetown Technical
College in Conway. SC. She has also
attended Robeson Tcchnical College
where she studied Secretarial Science.
She has served in various capacities,
including employment with the
North Carolina Indian Housing Authority
as a Crime Prevention Secretary.
She worked part time for
Hudson, Lawson A GwinPA at Myrtle
Beach, SC as a paralegal and has
been employed with Haycs/Schmitt
and Jordan Court Reporters and
Counselors' Chambers in Conway.
SC, as well as serving as clerical
assistant at Horry-Georgetown Technical
College, Conway, SC.
A nativeof HokeCounty, Locklcar
has long been active in community
and civic affairs there. She serves as
Secretary at Mt. Glim Baptist Church
and teaches Sunday School there.
She also serves there as Education
Coordinator.
In addition to her church duties.
Locklcar serves as Secretary to the
HokeCounty Native Americans. She
has served as a volunteer for all
Native Americans in Hoke and Scotland
counties, assisting them with
any legal matters as much as the state
of North Carolina allows under the
General Statutes.
She is an Indian Advocate and
Activist for Federal recognition,
equality for studcntsatthchigh school
level, civil rights of all Lumbces and
other Native Americans. She is concerned
also about Senior Citizens,
assisting them with receiving social
service entitlements, housing, medical
and physical needs.
In making her announcements.
Locklcar released the following statement:
"1 have always been an advocate
for Indian people, with special
cnrphasisonHokcand Scotland counties.
Sometimes, it seems, that we are
left out of services and other entitlements
because we reside outside of
Robeson.
"I was happy to sec LRDA open
their board districts to include Hoke
and Scotland counties. If clccicd to
their board. 1 will represent the district
in particular, and Indians in
general, to the best of my ability.
; Christmas Musical
set at ML Oliive
Reverend Oris Hubbard and the
Interdenominational Mass Choir
under the direction of Mrs. Janice L.
Bryant, cordially invites you to attend
The Colors of Christmas by
Dcrric Johnson on Sunday, December
I* 19% at 6:00 p.m. at Mount
Olive Pentecostal Holiness Church
3 located on College Road in Pembroke.
NC.
Public Speaking
on Health Issues
Available for public speaking on
subjects such as Breast Self-Examination,
Hypertension, and management
of Diabetic complications to
include diabetic foot care. If interested
in a presentation, please call
910-609-6827 to schedule (Cape Fear
Valley Health Systems, Inc.). Can
present at churches, business meetings,,
schools, senior facilities etc.,
there is no charge.