Out & About: Greensburg-Jeannette NAACP hosts annual human rights banquet

The theme of the Greensburg-Jeannette NAACP Annual Human Rights Banquet was “Together We Can Make a Difference.”

In terms of politics, education, social and economic inequalities, there’s a lot of work to be done, said President Ruth Tolbert at the Saturday evening event at Greensburg Country Club.

“Why are so many African Americans still dying of covid?” she said. “And who would think (voting rights) would still be an issue in 2022?”

The good news is that the organization has a diverse membership of people with many skills and talents “and they’re not afraid to work hard,” Tolbert said.

In 2022, the organization is focusing on building inclusive criminal justice policies, healthcare systems, economies and classrooms.

After a welcome from Denise Holmes, those gathered sang “Life Every Voice and Sing,” referred to as the Black national anthem. Bishop Carl E. Jones Sr. of Greater Parkview Church offered the invocation.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Bishop Carl E. Jones Sr. (rear), pastor of Greater Parkview Church in Greenburg, with Rev. Linda Steward and Minister Lorita Herring, both of Rock of Refuge Congregational Church in Jeannette, at the Greensburg-Jeannette NAACP Annual Human Rights Banquet, April 2 at Greensburg Country Club.

More than 100 guests heard from keynote speaker Margaret Power, a Greensburg native and history professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Power spoke on the experience of growing up white in Westmoreland County in relation to the Black community.

She currently is doing research for a book project titled “Black and White: Race and Race Relations in Westmoreland County.”

Following Power’s talk, these awards were presented: Branch Merit Award to Dr. Robin Sims; Community Service Award to Darshanna Truss; and NAACP Youth Council Special Recognition to Shaniah Wills.

Scholarships were awarded to Zen Scott-Mighty, a freshman biology major at Temple University, and Kenneth Clark, a second-year medical student at Ohio State University.

For fun, there was a basket auction and 50/50 raffle.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Greensburg-Jeannette NAACP First Vice President Norma Skilling with her daugher, Assistant Secretary Gabrielle Skillings, at the organization’s annual Human Rights Banquet, April 2 at Greensburg Country Club.

In addition to Tolbert, branch officers include First Vice President Norma Skillings, Second Vice President Idella Adams, Secretary Jean Slusser, Assistant Secretary Gabrielle Skillings and Treasurer Ruth Woods. Suzanne English co-chaired the banquet with Tolbert and Melessie Clark was emcee.

Seen: Jerry Skillings, Jim Galik, Cindy Anderson, Tonuia Smith, George and Michelle Toohey, Ron and Carlene Williams, Dan and Diane Krivoniak, Nancy Kukovich, Linda Steward, Lorita Herring, Bob Errett, Annie Urban, Moni Adigun, Jasmine Browner, Kiara Rockymore, Lance Edwards and the speaker’s twin sister, Melinda Power, a criminal defense and civil rights attorney in Chicago.