CHARLOTTE POST
^ ^ BLACK MARKIT
. ~ , • ■_ “The Voice Of The Black (bmmunity CAlL ***••«**
Volume 11, Number 45_ THE CHARLOTTE POST - Thursday, April 10, 1986 --~ ;
■ --—-- • r_ Price: »ft Cents
Bfieneiie Thomas Wins <
• • ^
NFBPWO’s “1986-87 Young <
„ ◄
Career Woman” Award
Story On Page 7A ◄
Mt Zion Baptist Church !
i
Named To National
l Histork' Register
^ Story On Page 6A ’
r
Miss Alexander
Deindne Alexander
Anticipating pending
A Month In Sweden
Story On Page 4A
70 Percent Of
Black Children
Receive Benefits
Special To The Pool
About,seven of every 10 black
children under age 18-sotne 6.5
million-were in households that re
ceived means-tested benefits
during the fourth quarter of 1964,
according to a survey by the
Commerce Department’s Census
Bureau.
mcansiea programs are
based on specific income and asset
guidelines. They include Aid to
Families with Dependent Children
(AFDC) and other cash assistance;
Supplemental Security Income
(SSI); food stamps; Special Sup
plemental Food Program for
Women, Infanta, and Children
|) (WIC); free or reduced-price
V school meals; Medicaid; VA pen
sions; public or subsidized rental
housing; and energy assistance.
About half of the nation’s 9.9
million Made children lived in house
holds that participated in free and
reduced-price school meals. Pro
portions for other programs were
children and three”out ~of flCe^
Hispanic children were in house
holds receiving benefits. The highest
partfcjpstton rate for both mount
Wie proportions of black and
Hispanic children in households
receiving benefits were about 85
t percent in female families and half
..in married-couple families. Those
tor white children were 98 percent
and 18 percent.
; : Here are other highlights:
; -The average monthly household
8ee 78 PERCENT On Page SA
Fob* Ilmuhig Month
On Monday, April 7, Mayor
Harvey Gantt and Ms. Carla DuPuy,
, Chairman of the Mecklenburg
» Board of Oommlaatooera,
a Joint proclamation declar
ing April as Fair Housing Month in
Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
I Present for the signing of the
• proclamation ware representatives
I of the Charlotte Board of Real ton,
I the Charlotte Apartment Associa
tion, the Home Builders Association
of Charlotte and the Chariotte
•’ Mecklenburg Community Rela
| dons Committee, 5*
Pair Housing Month is observed
annually to inform the public that
fair housing practices are supported
i by both the city and county
government!, and are indorsed by
the local bousing industry. Local
ordinances prohibit discrimination
in housing practices because of
race, aOn, religion and national
origin and provide a procedure for
the resolution of complaints of
unfsir housing practices.
§ Persons believing that they have
bash discriminated against in .
housing practices may call the
I Cbarkrtte-Mecklenhurg Community
Halations Oocnmtttss, S3S-MM, to
complaint, »*,'.•
—
• ♦' ' wnp pnnw*pw- v v-1».
, Tha moat difficult aacrat for a
fc" iifkWP ‘*W,0Wn op,n,OB *
"Golden Sorors" have been members of Alpha Kappa
Alpha for more than SO yean. Charlotte's Alpha
Lambda Omega gradnate chapter boasts five "Golden
-1—ii i ■ mtmjmL-._i
Sorors." They are, left to right. Annie W. Roberts.
Mildred P. Alridge, Cecelia J, Wilson, Laura S.
Malone, and Lillie Belle Blue.
Local Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
By Audrey C. Lodato
Post Staff Writer
With Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
being the oldest black women’s
Greek letter organization, and with
Charlotte Alpha Lambda Omega
graduate chapter having been
founded 57 years ago, it’s no sur
prise that some of its members have
been around a while.
In fact, the sorority recognizes
those women who have been mem
bers 50 years or more as "Golden
Sorors.” Alpha Lambda Omega has
five such members. ,
One of the five, Lillie Belle Blue,
was a charter member of both the
Charlotte graduate chapter and the
Gastonia chapter. She joined AKA in
1926 while a student at Atlanta
University, which did not have its
own chapter. Sorors operated under
the supervision of Kappa Omega
graduate chapter. When she came to
Charlotte to teach at Second Ward
High School, she joined Alpha
Lambda Omega. Ms. Blue is the only
remaining charter member in
Charlotte.
Laura Spears Malone entered the
sorority ht 1932 as a charter
member of Alpha Chi, the under
graduate chapter at NC Central
University in Durham. "I had
always wanted to go into the
sorority," she confirms, adding that
it was the first sorority on campus. A
group of 19 young women, including
her late sister, Louise Spears
Meadows, went in at the same time.
Upon graduating, Ms. Malone joined
the Charlotte chapter.
wauw jw. awMK ursi joined we
chapter at Fisk University In im. In
1M7, she cams to Charlotte and
entered Alpha Lambda Omaga. In
. between, Ms. Roberts was the only
sorer In Lexingten and Shelby, NC.
She once had the honor of boetiiw the
founder in her Horm for a weak while
working with the founder'* son
vi Golden Sorors Cecelia J. Wilson
and Mildred P. Alrldge graduated
Shaw University, which did not hors
sororities on campus Instead, they
were inducted directly Into Alpha
Lambda Omaga In Ml and Ml,
respectively, ; .
AO five have been active in
sororttv Ufa Ms. AMdge hasn’t
missed a year of Involvement dur *
log bar a years of membership
She's held every office except par
liamentartan, has worked an a
multitude of committees, aerved ae
Dean of Pladgaae, wont ae a chap
ter delegate to the national boute,
and currently chairs the chapter’s
service committee. She started off
with a bang by starring la a fund
raising play shortly after joining
Ma. Wilson also jumped right Into
sorority activity after entering She
helped plan the first regional con
ference to be hosted by the Char
lotte graduate chapter in 1932 and
hasn’t slowed down since. “Over the
years, I’ve held every office in the
chapter,” she notes. The Golden
Soror has been active in the finan
cial affairs of the chapter, served on
a number of committees, and was a
delegate to several boules.
Laura Malone has been the
chapter's basileus, tamiouchos, par
liamentarian, and political action
chair. Lillie Blue served her chapter
as parliamentarian. Annie Roberts
haB been active on many
committees.
Ms. Roberts, a retired elemen
tary teacher, commented, “I love
the fellowship, friendship, and
service to others. I hardly miss a
meeting.”
Ms. Alridge agreed. "I have
thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship in
the chapter and the Joy of rendering
service to others.” A retired
elementary teacher, Ms. Alridge
also appreciated learning new
things through various chapter
activities.
Ms. Wilson also cited service as a
particularly meaningful aspect of
sorority membership. She is a
retired English teacher.
Ms. Blue, a former math teacher
at Johnson C. Smith University, said
the sorority’s encouragement of
scholarship was most important to
her.
Ms. Malone, who retired as
Associate Director of Administra
tion at Smith, commented that
friendship and the opportunity to
become involved in political action
were of foremost Importance to her
Alpha Kappa Alpha seems to be a
family affair. Four of the Golden
Sorors had sisters who also joined
the sorority. Ms, Blue's daughter
was a member, as are Ms Roberts'
daughter and two of her nieces.
Ms. Roberts summarized all the
Golden Sorors' sentiments in wish
ing for Alpha Kappa Alpha "that it
would still hold its place in the
community and the nation that it has
held all these past 78 years."
National Baptist
Congress Will
Attract 35,000
By Alisa Brewer
Syndicated Writers & Artists Inc.
Special To The Post
The educational auxiliary of the
largest black organization of black
ministers and laymen in the world
will convene in Indianapolis June
16-20 when the National Baptist
Congress of Christian Education of
the National Baptist Convention
U.S.A. meets in the Midwestern city
for the first time in its 81-year
history.
Among the numerous participants
will be Dr. T.J. Jemison, president
of the National Baptist Convention,
US A. Inc., and Dr. T. Oscar
Chappelle Sr., president of the
National Baptist Congress of
Christian Education.
Also participating are Congress
secretary Florence Stanely; and
Congress dean, Dr John H Corbitt,
and Dr. W Franklyn Richardson,
secretary of the National Baptist
Convention.
The more than 35,000 delegates '
expected to participate will be
entertained the first evening of the
Congress by a community-wide 2,000
voice Congress Choir
According to Lir Melvin a litrton
Sr., Congress general chairman and
Indianapolis convention
entertainment coordinator, the
choir will perform in a musicale
June 16 at the Indianapolis
Convention Center and Hoosier
Dome
“We're trying to show the
religious impact (of Baptists) on the
city of Indianapolis and the
country," said Dr. Girton, pastor of
Christ Missionary Baptist Church.
Singers and musicians are now
being recruited to take part in this
historic event, which will include
voices from all Christian faiths, said
Dr. Girton and Dr FL Lyons,
convention publicity chairman and
pastor of Galilee Baptist Church.
Indianapolis-area pastors are
encouraged to send members to join
the Congress Choir, which will be
directed by A1 Hobbs, general
manager of WTLC-FM and a leader
Fuj ruling Dreams Of Young
Kids” Spurs Rev. George Battle
By Audrey C. Led*to
Poet Staff Writer
School board veteran Rev. George
Battle Is running for hia third
four-year term on the Charlotte
Mecklenburg Board of Education
Voter* may chooae four candi
date* from a field of U in the May •
election.
Battle cite* hia love for children aa
hia main roaaon for aerving on the
achoel board. That love, ha aaya, iaa
prerequisite for a poaition on the
The peator of Graatar Gethae
mane AME Zion Church aaaa hia
achool board aarvtea aa a way of
“fulfilling dream* of young kida"
who might otharwla* never flnlah
•cbaai. Providing input into achool
poHdaa la part M thla proceaa Ha
think* he haa beau able to "Baton
•P* make a difference, ha
R«v. George Battle
.CM* ***••* Bmt4 candidate
extra help to motivate and encou
rage them, the career development
program far teacher*, and efforts to
get parent* Involved In the educa
tion proceaa.
Battle calk the board of education
■eat a ‘challenging position" and
on* which be enjoy* ••People tend to
do better when they enjoy what
they’re doing."
He adds, "T have a broad base of
support that I'm very proud of."
A graduate of Livingstone College
and Hood Theological Seminary
(he was awarded a Doctor of
Divinity degree in 1982), Battle has
been at Gethsemane for 12 years
There, his love for children is
evidenced by his founding of the
church’s Enrichment Program, in
which 500 youngsters participate.
The Enrichment Program works
with children through the sixth
grade to reinforce their reading
and math skills
Other church programs he’s Im
plemented have Included Qeth
semane's hot lunch program and its
day care center.
Battle has been the recipient of
numerous awards and commenda
tions over the years.
He is a member of the Johnson C.
Smith Board of Visitors, Clinton
Junior College Board of Trustees,
Chamber of Commerce Board of
Directors, Alpha Phi Alpha Fra
ternity, United Family Services
Board. Battered Women’s Shelter.
Human Service Council a1 Meek
ienburg County, Arts and Science
Council, Community School of the
Arte, and International Overseas
Mission Board of the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Chtrch
flee REV. BATTLE Oa Page SA
4
Rev. R. H. I^eak
...Trip coordinator
in the gospel community, and
William Wheatley, minister of music
at Pilgrim Baptist Church, of which
Dr. Stacey R. Shields is pastor and
general chairman of the musicale
In addition to being a
welcoming gospel musical
experience for delegates, the
Congress Choir will give a special
salute on June 17 to Indianapolis
Mayor William H Hudnut III for his
"stalward position on affirmative
action," said Dr Girtoh.
Persons interested in joining the
choir as singers-tn—as-musicians
should immediately contact Denise
Martin at Pilgrim Baptist Church,
317-925-4563
It was through the efforts of Dr.
Girton and the Indianapolis Baptist
Ministers Fellowship, of which Dr
Girton is chairman-coordinator, that
the Congress will convene in
Indianapolis
The Indianapolis Baptist
Ministers Fellowship extended an
invitation to the Congress during its
1983 convention in Memphis, Tenn.
With support from local bodies, the
convention was scheduled to be held
in Indianapolis
President of the Indianapolis
Baptist Minister’s Alliance. Dr.
Arthur Johnson. pastor of
Friendship Baptist Church, is vice
chairman of the Baptist Minister's
Fellowship and president of the
Indiana Congress of Christian
Kducation, the body over which Dr.
Shields is dean
"The Indianapolis community -
other than the ministry is totally
unaware of what a great body this
is," said Dr Girton, who added that
at least 4000 speakers will conduct
instructional classes for ministers,
laymen and church workers and
members, adults and children
Before the official opening of the
Congress, a parade is scheduled to
be held in downtown Indianapolis on
June 14 Bands, drill teams and
church and civic leaders are being
sought to participate in the parade.
Doris Wheatley, who can be reached
at 317-283-4292. is heading the
parade organizing effort
Then on Sunday, June IS and again
June 22, visiting pastors will sit in
the pulpits of any church which
welcomes them, said Dr. Girton,
Ministers interested in a visiting
pastor Joining them in the pulpS
should contact the Rev. ML.
Williams, pastor of Mt Horeb
Baptist Church, 923-3139
On June 19, the Congress opa^
with a variety of activities pianwil
for everyone. Detail* will be
announced later
Then June 17, Tuesday morning,
Dr John H. Corbitt, Doan at the
National Baptist Congme and a
reaidant of Oreonvilla, S.C., will give
the keynote address «t the
Sea NATIONAL On Rage «7A { I
J «