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10th Council District Women's Steering Committee

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Category: Community News

Published on Friday, 20 September 2013 15:58

Written by D.V. Lawrence

In October 1973, 10th District Councilman Dave Cunningham and Chief of Staff Maxine Waters gave her aide, Geneva Cox, an assignment: Bring together a cross section of women in the 10th Council District to meet with the Councilman and Chief of Staff.
 

Chief of Staff, now Congresswoman MaxineWaters, noticed all the active women doing things for and accomplishing things in their communities. She felt that by bringing these involved and often unrecognized women together much more would be accomplished. With their varying backgrounds, they could make the 10th District an outstanding District.

     
Committees were appointed; noted caterer, Frankie Bell, volunteered her home for the first get together and the 10th Council District Women’s Steering Committee (W.S.C.) came into being on March 16, 1974.

     
Under the leadership of Geneva Cox, the first conference, “Women in Leadership…How We Can Best Serve Our Community - Woman, A Catalyst for Social Change” was held at City Hall on Saturday, September 21, 1974.  The conference was designed for women who wished to develop skills as professionals or volunteers in the schools, community, government, and private industry.

     
The conferences continued at City Hall yearly until 1989 when an earthquake limited the use of City Hall whereupon the group started holding seminars and workshops in various facilities in the District and City.  The first general membership meeting was held Saturday, March 22, 1975, at the Ebony Showcase Theater and Cultural Arts Center.  The group incorporated on January 3, 1979, under the Secretary of State of California, March Fong Eu.

     
Over the years, the 10th District W.S.C. has held informative workshops, seminars, field trips, cultural affairs, theatre parties provided scholarships, networked with other women’s groups, civic, religious, political organizations; held Easter egg hunts, Christmas parties and toy giveaways.

     
Many members have been honored, received awards and served on city and county commissions and committees.  Two members, Ramona Whitney and Geneva Cox, ran for the 10th Council District.  The Queen Anne Recreation Center’s Community Building was dedicated to Hattie Williams Brown; Jackie Calloway was appointed by Mayor Bradley and Councilman Cunningham as the first president of the Rent Control Board; Martha Yamaki served as a Rent Adjustment Commissioner; Louise Mize received Anheuser Busch’s Dr. Martin Luther King Award; Dr. Marion Sims recognized in the L. A. Times for raising a family, pursuing a career, and work in the Civil Rights Movement; Margery Ferrier was the first Senior Citizens Coordinator for the 10th District under Councilman David Cunningham.  Lettie Butler was founder of the West Adams Improvement Association; Maria Spurlock-Drew received a 10th District Commendation for her work in public relations. Marvin Avenue School dedicated the library in memory of Helen Ludiway; Eleanora Yancey received the L. A. NAACP Volunteer of the Year Award.  Thelma Hilliard has been recognized as Woman of the Year for the 47th District by Assemblyman Herb Wesson, Gladys Wesson-Strickland “Woman of the Year 2000”, and Alicia Salazar as “Woman of the Year 2004”; Marion Collins as Educator of the Year and Joan Jackson as Volunteer of the Year.  Ethel Bradley, Sylvia Cunningham, Maxine Waters, and Geneva Cox have been recognized as Honorary Members of the 10th Councilman District Women’s Steering Committee.     

    
PIONEER WOMEN OF THE 10th COUNCIL DISTRICT AWARDS:  Virginia Hayes Williams, Joan Jackson, Jackie Calloway, Eleanora Yancey, Sebie S. Browne, Marion Collins, and Audrey Quarles.

   
The 10th Council District W.S.C is a 501C3 non-profit organization. Our Mission Statement: “Our non-partisan organization works to improve the quality of life in the 10th Council District by promoting and supporting the civic participation and leadership of women who live, work, worship or attend school in the 10th Council District.”  

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