{"id":30365,"date":"2022-04-03T17:22:04","date_gmt":"2022-04-03T17:22:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/?p=30365"},"modified":"2022-04-03T17:22:04","modified_gmt":"2022-04-03T17:22:04","slug":"out-about-greensburg-jeannette-naacp-hosts-annual-human-rights-banquet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/2022\/04\/03\/out-about-greensburg-jeannette-naacp-hosts-annual-human-rights-banquet\/","title":{"rendered":"Out & About: Greensburg-Jeannette NAACP hosts annual human rights banquet"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The theme of the Greensburg-Jeannette NAACP Annual Human Rights Banquet<\/strong> was \u201cTogether We Can Make a Difference.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

In terms of politics, education, social and economic inequalities, there\u2019s a lot of work to be done, said President Ruth Tolbert<\/strong> at the Saturday evening event at Greensburg Country Club.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are so many African Americans still dying of covid?\u201d she said. \u201cAnd who would think (voting rights) would still be an issue in 2022?\u201d\n<\/p>\n

The good news is that the organization has a diverse membership of people with many skills and talents \u201cand they\u2019re not afraid to work hard,\u201d Tolbert said.\n<\/p>\n

In 2022, the organization is focusing on building inclusive criminal justice policies, healthcare systems, economies and classrooms.\n<\/p>\n

After a welcome from Denise <\/strong>Holmes<\/strong>, those gathered sang \u201cLife Every Voice and Sing,\u201d referred to as the Black national anthem. Bishop Carl E. Jones Sr.<\/strong> of Greater Parkview Church offered the invocation.<\/p>\n

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Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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More than 100 guests heard from keynote speaker Margaret <\/strong>Power<\/strong>, 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.\n<\/p>\n

She currently is doing research for a book project titled \u201cBlack and White: Race and Race Relations in Westmoreland County.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Following Power\u2019s talk, these awards were presented: Branch Merit Award to Dr. Robin <\/strong>Sims<\/strong>; Community Service Award to Darshanna <\/strong>Truss<\/strong>; and NAACP Youth Council Special Recognition to Shaniah <\/strong>Wills<\/strong>.\n<\/p>\n

Scholarships were awarded to Zen <\/strong>Scott-Mighty<\/strong>, a freshman biology major at Temple University, and Kenneth <\/strong>Clark<\/strong>, a second-year medical student at Ohio State University.\n<\/p>\n

For fun, there was a basket auction and 50\/50 raffle.<\/p>\n

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Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review <\/p>\n

Greensburg-Jeannette NAACP First Vice President Norma Skilling with her daugher, Assistant Secretary Gabrielle Skillings, at the organization\u2019s annual Human Rights Banquet, April 2 at Greensburg Country Club.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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

Seen: Jerry Skillings, Jim Galik, Cindy Anderson, Tonuia Smith, George <\/strong>and Michelle Toohey, Ron <\/strong>and Carlene Williams, Dan <\/strong>and Diane Krivoniak, Nancy Kukovich, Linda Steward, Lorita Herring, Bob Errett, Annie Urban, Moni Adigun, Jasmine Browner, Kiara Rockymore, Lance Edwards <\/strong>and the speaker\u2019s twin sister, Melinda <\/strong>Power<\/strong>, a criminal defense and civil rights attorney in Chicago.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley at 724-836-5750, smcmarlin@triblive.com<\/a> or via Twitter .<\/p>\n