Twenty-five years ago, Claudette Sweet founded Living Portraits of African-American Women as a way for Denver section of the National Council of Negro Women to give lasting tribute to deserving women while they were still alive and able to savor the moment.
The induction reception is always a joyous occasion, perhaps even moreso this year because in addition to celebrating the 2017 honorees, the Saturday afternoon event also included the unveiling of the 40th stamp in the U.S. Postal Service’s Black Heritage series.
The stamp bears a likeness of Dorothy Height, who spent decades as the NCNW’s national president and was considered one of the most influential civil rights leaders of the 20th century.
Prior to her death in 2010, Height received two of the nation’s highest civilian honors, the Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.
Genesis Oats, Miss Black Colorado Teen 2017, delivered a tribute to Height, who also fought hard for gender equality, before turning the microphone over to Denver first lady Mary Louise Lee and one of her predecessors, Wilma Webb, who joined USPS district manager Rick Pivovar in dedicating the stamp.
Later, Lee and Webb gave remarks that addressed the significance of International Women’s History Month.
This year’s Living Portrait honorees were introduced by Gail Pough, the Denver section’s corresponding secretary. The honorees shared their stories by participating in a panel discussion moderated by Reynelda Muse, the first woman and first African-American to anchor a television newscast in Colorado.
Muse went on to become a founding anchor on the Cable News Network (CNN) and to receive awards that include an Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and Broadcaster of the Year from the Colorado Broadcasters Association.
The Community Activist recipient was Nadine Cornish, owner of The Caregiver’s Guardian, which offers coaching services “for the caregiver and the people who care about the caregiver.” Cornish is also the author of “Tears in My Gumbo: The Caregivers’ Recipe for Resilience.”
Lynn Hoskins, a registered nurse at Denver Health and a jewelry artist, was recognized as the Public Health Champion, while Venita Thomas O’Hara, an evangelist, educator, writer and editor, was the recipient for Education Leadership. Jayden O’Dell, a student at Vista Peak High School in Aurora, was the Youth Leadership honoree, recognized for her accomplishments in STEM classes and as a valued member of the Momentum Club Volleyball team.
Pamela M. Miller and Claudette Sweet chaired the Living Portraits reception. It was held at Denver’s Central Library and was emceed by Kristen Pough, anchor of the Met Report, a weekly television broadcast produced by and for students at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Well-wishers included state Sen. Rhonda Fields; Lesley Pace, Miss Black Colorado Universe 2017; Linda Theus-Lee; Monique Johnson; Sherry Delaney; Carol McCallum-Shockness and Valorie Yarbrough.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, partiwriter@hotmail.com and @joannedavidson on Twitter
