SPRING 2016 THE BELLE RINGER

BennettC ollege1

Bennett

A Special 90tht 12 e 12 Anniversary Edition From the Editors

Greetings:

Bennett College’s early beginning started in 1873 when emancipated slaves founded an institution to educate men and women at the elementary and secondary levels. Nearly 50 years later, Bennett College was founded to train young ladies to become cultured members of society. Our College with its traditions, White Breakfasts, ACES seminars and other activities that foster sisterhood, has evolved into one of the nation’s only two historically black women’s college. It survived the depression, segregation, the great migration to the North, the separatist movement, the civil rights movement, integration and remains a place where women who come in ready to learn and change their lives, leave competent, competitive, and cultured – ready to make their mark on the world.

In this issue of the Belle Ringer we highlight some of these women, who provided their Pictured, Audrey Demps Franklin ’72, Sharon Saunders and Cymone Baker ’16 information, as we celebrate the 90th anniversary of Bennett as a women’s college. various periods about their Bennett College Our graduates have achieved remarkable experiences. We have included several success in politics, education, law, medicine, other features about faculty and students engineering, communications, social work, as well as our standing features such as business and all walks of life. Among the “News from Bennett College,” “Alumnae/ alumnae featured is Marissa Jennings, Commencement Weekend 2015,” “Chapter ’03 who was recently honored at the Happenings,” and “Belle Notes.” Please White House as a “Champion of Change” enjoy this special edition as we recognize for providing a platform where African- Bennett’s 90th Anniversary. American girls can have a voice in modern technology. Yours In Sisterhood, Audrey Demps Franklin, ’72 The 2016 Bell Ringer also includes an article Executive Director, Alumnae Affairs written by Theresa Bennett Wilkes, ’72, that chronicles Bennett College “Striving Sharon Saunders and Thriving” through various times in Chief Communications and Marketing the history of the U.S. Theresa includes Officer interviews with several alumnae from 2 The Sound of the Belle 3 Message from the President 4 Vice President for Advancement 6 Striving, Surviving and Thriving 23 90th Anniversary Schedule of Events 24 Honoring Legacy Belles 38 75th Anniversary of the Chapel 39 Black Girl Magic 40 Miss Bennett College 42 Student Interns 44 Belle Notes 46 Chapter Happenings 48 Belle Necrology 49 Chapter Presidents/Chapter Giving 51 NAA Honorees 52 Reunion Classes President: Rosalind Fuse-Hall, J.D. 54 Commencement Weekend Vice President for Institutional Advancement: Evelyn P. Leathers 56 News from Bennett Co-editors: Audrey Demps Franklin ’72, Sharon P Saunders 59 Alumnae Coordinators Contributing Writers: Chelsea Moore ’17, Theresa Bennett-Wilkes ’72 60 Faculty Members Photography: Howard Gaither, Sharon Saunders 63 Forms Graphic Artist: Sherry Poole Clark 64 Belle Merchandise Printer: Whistle Stop Press BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 1 The Sound of the Belle

Greetings My Bennett Sisters and Supporters of Bennett College:

As always, I must start this letter by expressing my gratitude to you for your continued support of Bennett College with your time, talents and treasures! I am so very proud that we have been named the #2 HBCU with our percentage of giving.

Our goals for this year are to increase our percentage of giving, increase our total giving (I know we can hit the million dollar mark again) and to increase our support with recruiting and helping to retain students. As a small private College, we are “tuition driven,” so that means that we need financial support and increased enrollment/ retention. We have our sisters in the Admissions Office and they are led by Jocelyn Biggs ’94 and Evelyn Bryant- Rogers ’13. We have some challenging times and need your support!!!

I also want to remind you that the National Alumnae Association (NAA) need your support. We contribute greatly to our students and student activities; however, this cannot be done unless we receive your National dues. You will find information in this edition of the Belle Ringer. So far this year, Executive Committee members have made visitations to Chapter events/meetings and an event honoring one of our illustrious Alumnae. These include Metro Atlanta, Baltimore, Durham, Winston-Salem, Gastonia, and Philadelphia. More visitations are planned for this Spring. Please make sure you advise us of your activities.

This year, Bennett has two celebrations, our 90th year as a Women’s College and the 75th year of the Chapel. Various celebratory events are under way and you will be hearing more information.

The NAA is announcing two contests. Contest One is to write and submit a new traditional song to join the repertoire of songs including “Tell Me Why,” “The Bennett Ideal” and “The Preference Song.” Contest Two is to write and submit a litany that can be used at various Alumnae events. Information about these contests are found in this edition of the Belle Ringer.

Finally, we welcome you back for Alumnae Weekend 2016.

Thank you so much again for your support!

Sisterly, Deborah Tillman Love ’79 National President.

Note: For online payments go to www.bennett.edu and press online giving. Do not forget about matching gifts (check with your company for more details.)

2 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE Message from the President

Dear Bennett Alumnae:

Greetings to each of you on behalf of the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff and students of Bennett College where we provide an education for the future of our students. This year is significant in that we are celebrating our 90th year as a women’s college. Transitioning from a seminary founded by emancipated slaves in 1873, to a college under the Freedman’s Aid Society, to the re-establishment in 1926 as a Women’s College, has been a bold and often courageous journey. But, we arrive today standing erect, firmly planted upon our historical beginning and facing a bright future. As we recognize this milestone, we have a host of activities planned and hope you will enjoy the celebrations, seminars and lectures.

Today, Bennett College remains an institution full of promise. It has evolved into the U.S. News and World Report’s Best No. 1 private Historically Black College in North Carolina, educating about 500 undergraduate women each year.

Our work prepares women who are competent, confident, cultured and committed to social justice. Ninety years after its founding, we are preparing our students for a complex and competitive world by endowing them with communication and leadership skills; enhancing their global acumen; and refining their entrepreneurial prowess.

As we celebrate 90 years, we must remember that we were built on the shoulders of giants who always understood that a good education compliments the Christian experience. In the spirit of this celebration, let us join forces and work toward continued growth and success of our beloved Bennett College.

Sincerely, Rosalind Fuse-Hall President

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 3 Vice President for Advancement

Greetings Bennett Belles:

In the Division of Institutional Advancement, we are looking forward to a great year as we work to augment the college’s finances through various fundraising initiatives. As one of the newest administrators on the team, I must admit that I am excited about the opportunity to serve at Bennett College. I have worked as a development officer and executive in fund raising for more than 20 years and I want to make a significant difference at Bennett College and in the community. Celebrating

I also think it is appropriate to applaud the leadership of the National Alumnae Association, Deborah Love, and the Executive Director of Alumnae Affairs, Audrey Franklin, 90 Years for their outstanding work. Congratulations on being ranked No. 2 among HBCUs in alumnae giving with a rate of 38.2 percent – that is outstanding. During my tenure in development, I have worked with various foundations to garner support for as a educational institutions and I will continue those efforts and others that will help build Bennett College’s financial resources and its endowment.

As we prepare for success in fundraising, we must remember that teamwork is essential. While I have generated reliable sources throughout the years for networking in this area, I will still need your Women’s help in cultivating donors. I want to also support Bennett College’s effort in creating a culture of philanthropy. This year, we have asked our faculty and staff to increase their giving efforts. We want to make sure that the individuals who benefit greatly from Bennett College see the value in giving back. Additionally, we want all of our donors to see how we are great stewards of the funds we receive College through action and follow through.

As we celebrate our 90th Anniversary, let’s join forces to make 2016 one of the college’s best year ever in the area of fundraising.

Sincerely, Evelyn P. Leathers Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Bennett College is a United Methodist Church-related institution.

Bennett College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033, 404-679-4500, www. sacscoc.org; the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE); and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Bennett College is a United Methodist Church-related institution.

Bennett College prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age or status as a disabled veteran in admission, access to, treatment of, or employment in its programs or activities.

4 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE Celebrating 90 Years as a Women’s College

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 5 BENNETT CoLLEGE: Striving, Surviving and thriving Written by Theresa W. Bennett-Wilkes, ’72

ore than one Her story is intertwined with the history of this hundred forty nation. Her value, meaning and appeal are best years after understood - and appreciated - from the vantage The true worth of a Mits founding point of graduates whose reminisces offer insight Bennett College is striving, into what makes Bennett special. Six Belles, Lois race must be measured surviving and thriving. The Joseph McGlockton, ’08, a benefits specialist with by the character of its campus, a collection of Aetna Insurance; April Gordon Dawson, ’88, stately red brick buildings, an assistant professor, North Carolina Central womanhood.” located in southeast University Law School; Bertha Irene Burris “ Greensboro between East Lee McLendon, ’68, assistant director, Sponsored MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE Street and the railroad tracks, Programs, North Carolina A & T State University; has weathered storms of Dr. Linda Beatrice Brown, ’61, retired professor every kind: physical, social, of Humanities and the Willa B. Player Professor, managerial, administrative, Bennett College; Loretta Free McKee, ’56, a and academic. The steeple retired educator; and Blanche Graves Williams, of the Annie Merner Pfeiffer ’46, also a retired educator, whose association with Chapel is a reassuring Alma Mater Bennett span nearly 70 of those years reminder of her presence and shared their thoughts, memories, assessments on staying power. the college’s longevity and hopes for its future.

6 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE Striving, Surviving and thriving Written by Theresa W. Bennett-Wilkes, ’72

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 7 Why Bennett?

“Mom strongly encouraged me [to attend Bennett]. She wanted all of us to leave California and go to school. She was a fan of HBCUs and a particular fan of Bennett College,” explained Belle April Dawson ’88. “I wasn’t very diligent about applying to colleges – I didn’t even take the SAT. I think Bennett was the only school I applied to.”

“I was a student at William Penn… in High Point. A recruiter came to my high school and talked to the guidance counselor who recommended me,” recalled Belle Bertha McLendon ’68. “I didn’t want to go to an all girls’ school. The guidance counselor spoke to my mother, who was a domestic worker, and she thought it was a good idea. I never applied to any other colleges. I am the first person in my family of seven children to go to college…”

“I didn’t choose [Bennett]. Some white Methodist women went to the pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Portland, OR - Rev. Browning C. Allen - and told him they were looking for a colored girl to attend Bennett College in Greensboro. They had a scholarship. The Allen’s told them about me and I was given the scholarship…,” explained Belle Blanche Williams ’46.

“I chose Bennett because of [a] family tradition,” stated Belle Loretta McKee ’56. “I’m United Methodist. My mother went to Bennett when it was a high school. Living on campus was attractive to me…”

Belle Linda Brown ’61 recalled her decision to become a Belle as “Mostly… a family affair. My aunt, Dr. Willa B. Player, was here as president and my two older sisters, Dolores… and Barbara ’56…had already graduated. I had been here a lot as a child visiting… I was very familiar with the campus and I really liked it. I didn’t have any problem coming behind my sisters. It was the natural thing to do…”

“I chose Bennett because it was an all women’s college in the south and also I wanted to get away from the North. I’m from Boston, MA,” said Belle Lois McGlockton ’08.

8 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE “An education…about ourselves would empower black women because it would help us understand the source of our powerlessness. “And, understanding is always the first step towards change.”

DR. JOHNNETTA BETSCH COLE 14TH PRESIDENT

ennett College has, for the past one hundred forty- one years, been committed to educating the progeny of former slaves. Its continued existence is a testament Bto the vision of its founders and the combined energy and efforts of its leadership, administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumnae, and friends. An awareness of the historical context within which this school came into being is crucial to understanding its resilience. From 1873 to 1926 it was coeducational, providing access to education in a nation which prided itself on being a democracy even as it unabashedly - and systemically - disenfranchised, abused, ostracized, and terrorized the descendants of the former slaves who built it.

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 9 We are the only racial group within the United States ever forbidden by law to read and write. “ALICE CHILDRESS ennett has survived and thrived It grew out of a club for Confederate soldiers in through twenty-five presidential Pulaski, TN. Although congress passed the Ku administrations. Ulysses S. Grant, Klux Klan Act in 1871 granting states the power Bthe eighteenth president, was in his to combat terrorist acts, the Supreme Court second term when the college was founded. declared it unconstitutional in 1882. North Carolina, which seceded – in the wake of the Civil War – on May 20, 1861, rejoined the Despite the increasingly hostile environment, Union July 4, 1868. The U.S. was a federation the future looked promising during Bennett’s of thirty seven states whose boundaries extended early years. The first African-Americans were west of the Mississippi to Oregon, admitted elected to congress: Joseph Rainey, born into February 14, 1859 as the 33rd state. Nebraska, slavery in Georgetown, SC, was a successful the 37th state, was admitted March 1, 1857. barber whose father purchased the family’s freedom. Rainey became the first Black to serve Newly freed Blacks began the process of in the U.S. House of Representatives. Elected integrating into American society as citizens to the 41st Congress in 1868, he served for a of the nation built with their labor and little decade before being defeated. Hiram Rhodes or no recognition or compensation – a debt Revels, an ordained itinerant elder in the which remains unpaid. As the War Between the A.M.E. Church was the second Black elected to States ended and the Confederacy unraveled, an congress. He was the senator from Mississippi insidious form of domestic terrorism – whose from February 23, 1870 to March 31, 1871. reach and ramifications continue to have a pernicious impact – emerged. Formed by white Blanche Kelso Bruce was the first African- supremacists, and supported by political, social American to serve a full term in the U.S. senate: and religious organizations, the most prominent from 1874 to 1881. He was also the first group, founded in 1865, was the Ku Klux Klan. African-American to preside over the senate. Meanwhile, Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback was elected to the Louisiana State Senate in 1868. He became Lieutenant Governor in 1871 and governor on December 8, 1872. Pinchback served in this capacity for 36 days.

“…I participated in the Long Walk [August 2012]. I listened to the speakers and observed the students. This school is built on love,” says Belle McLendon. “We have wonderful administrators. I think the future is filled with fantastic and outstanding opportunities for Bennett graduates. That’s my prayer – that it will continue to be a college that requires the best.”

10 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 11 In view of the Constitution, in the eyes of the law, there is in this country no superior, dominant ruling class of citizens.

ASSOCIATE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE JOHN MARSHALL HARLAN “DISSENT, PLESSY V. FERGUSON egregation was a way of life by the a test case whose outcome formally legalized turn of the century, having been firmly segregation and discrimination through a policy established by the federal judiciary in known as separate but equal. SPlessy v. Ferguson, a ruling whose aftermath continues to highlight the uneasy His role was part of a planned challenge relationship between white America and an mounted by the Citizens’ Committee to Test increasingly non-white populace. Homer Plessy, the Constitutionality of the Separate Car Law, a free black born in New Orleans in 1862 was a small group of black professionals in New arrested June 7, 1892 for violating Louisiana’s Orleans, formed in 1891. They retained Albion Separate Car Act. He was characterized as 7/8 Tourgée as their legal representative. After white, or an octoroon, under the state’s feudal successfully leading a test case in which a state caste system. Plessy agreed to participate in district court declared forced segregation in

12 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE railroad cars traveling between states to be unconstitutional, the committee was eager to take on the constitutionality of segregation on railroad cars operating solely within a single state. Their strategy was to have someone with mixed blood violate the law thus enabling Tourgée to question its arbitrariness. Plessy, a native of south Louisiana who could pass for white, agreed to participate. The committee arranged with the railroad conductor and a private detective to detain him until he was arrested. When Plessy appeared before the Louisiana District Court, the ruling handed down affirmed the state’s constitutional power to regulate railroad companies operating solely within its borders. It upheld the Louisiana Separate Car Act. The decision was appealed to the state supreme court in 1893 and the US Supreme Court in 1896.

Tourgée and his colleagues had solidified their approach by the time the case reached the Supreme Court. He argued Plessy was denied his equal protection rights under the Fourteenth Amendment and his rights under the Thirteenth Amendment were violated through the perpetuation of the essential features of slavery. Six of the seven justices Dr. Esther Terry, ’61, is the only Bennett College graduate to serve as president. who heard the case were unconvinced. They decided neither the Thirteenth nor the Associate Justice John Marshall Harlan Fourteenth Amendments were applicable. questioned the constitutionality of the The majority opinion, written by Justice Louisiana Separate Car Act in his dissenting Henry Billings Brown attacked Plessy’s 13th opinion. Amendment claims by distinguishing between political and social equality. “I am of the opinion that the statute of Louisiana is inconsistent with the personal “…The constitutionality of this act is attacked liberty of citizens, white and black, in that upon the ground that it conflicts both with the State, and hostile to both the spirit and Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution, letter of the Constitution of the United abolishing slavery, and the 14th Amendment, States…” ² which prohibits certain restrictive legislation on the part of the State.

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 13 “I know what Bennett was then, what it is now, and I have a good idea of what it can be in the future. Bennett is a growing college, destined to be a first-rate performer on the world stage.” “DR. ESTHER TERRY, ’61, 16TH PRESIDENT OF BENNETT COLLEGE ennett College continues to strive, aside – whatever came between us and came survive and thrive absorbing the together and I’ll never forget that.” changing attitudes and vicissitudes of Ba country in transition. Throughout “[I remember] how wonderful it [Bennett] was,” its history, this institution of higher learning said Belle Williams. “My parents didn’t want me has been a fertile staging ground. It facilitates to go. My mother thought I had a big mouth an environment conducive to broadening and would say something that would get me horizons and stimulating intellectual growth lynched. I talked an awful lot.” as demonstrated through memories of life on campus. “The sisterhood,” affirmed Belle McKee. “We had exposure [to] all the speakers who came: “[I remember] the sisterhood with other Belles,” Benjamin Mayes, Mordecai Johnson. I was very said Belle McGlockton. “… the camaraderie. much impressed with Prexy. It was just that he The professors … who tried to help any way knew … and loved all of us. And Dr. Player, of they could. I also recall how we came together course, didn’t miss a beat. She moved right in and rallied until our voices could be heard when and kept the traditions … [and] … the legacy we thought Dr. Cole was being asked to leave going. or was planning to leave. We put our differences

14 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE Vespers, I loved that exposure…. We respected administration were looking out for my best our chapel – we had chapel every day except interests. They were invested in my success…” Wednesday. We left our books outside. It didn’t “There’s a long list of things,” said Belle Brown. matter, they were in place when you got out. “The friendships, some of which have lasted all I thought that was interesting. I remember these fifty years. The wonderful professors. The [wearing] the hats and gloves to go downtown… vesper services and chapel, which was inspiring The beauty work, chores, educational pillars. We to me and being a member of the choir.” also had the skills that led you to seek work – gainful employment and careers. Prexy thought “It was drilled in us that we represented this you needed practical skills to live. We bussed college,” recalled Belle McLendon. “…they tables and worked as waitresses.” admonished us to wear hats and gloves off campus. The classes were small enough that you “For the first time in my life I was in the weren’t afraid to approach your professors. We majority in terms of race and gender,” recalled were expected to have a career. Even though we Belle Dawson. “That…took an adjustment. In went to chapel every day, we were still expected terms of… being 3,000 miles from home and to go to church on Sundays. We had big balls making the trip on the bus…Greensboro is … when the boys from Morehouse came. I stayed culturally different from southern California…I on campus during the summer. I met girls from was a curiosity…even [when] interacting with all across the country. I learned to wear make- other young black women…the way I talked, up and got my ears pierced. While I was [at the way I dressed was a curiosity. I was an Bennett] a new dorm for seniors was built. I had outsider…[yet] I recall feeling very comfortable, the same room-mate for four years. Her name very at home, very supported…the faculty, the was Juanita White.”

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 15 Only the black woman can say, “When and where I enter, in the quiet, undisputed dignity of my womanhood, without violence and without suing or special patronage, then and there the whole Negro race enters with me.” “ANNA JULIA COOPER ennett College continued to strive, Wilkerson, in her groundbreaking study, The survive and thrive as it approached Warmth of Other Suns, began around 1915 its golden anniversary. The U.S. and ended around 1970. BConstitution was amended three more times. The most significant was Article “From the early years of the twentieth XIX which granted women the right to vote. century to well past its middle age, nearly North Carolina was poised to become the every black family in the American south, 36th – and final – state to ratify, however, which meant nearly every black family in members of the general assembly, and the America, had a decision to make… governor opposed it. On August 20, 1920, state senator, Lindsay Warren proposed It was during the First World War that a postponement of the ratification vote until silent pilgrimage took its first steps within the next legislative session. His motion the borders of this country … It would passed and two days later the House of Representatives rejected ratification. North Carolina did not officially ratify the XIX amendment until 1971, more than fifty years later. Mississippi is the last state to ratify.

Perhaps the single most important event of the early twentieth century was commencement of the mass exodus of Blacks from the south known as the Great Migration, which, according to Isabel

16 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE not end until the 1970s and would set into motion changes in the North and South that no one, not even the people doing the leaving could have imagined. It would become perhaps the biggest underreported story of the twentieth century. It was vast. It was leaderless …

Over the course of six decades, some six million black southerners left the land of their forefathers and fanned out across the country for an uncertain existence in nearly every other corner of America …” Bennett College continued to strive, survive and thrive. Fifty-three years later, David Dallas Jones, affectionately dubbed Prexy, became the ninth president. Bennett was now officially a college for women.

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 17 “We must do and not just be.” and an unrelenting wealth gap which just keeps growing? How, then, has a Bennett GLORIA SCOTT, 11TH PRESIDENT OF College education impacted the lives of its BENNETT COLLEGE graduates? “ “This value-centered education, in a e live in a culture which nutshell,” says Belle Brown. “We have celebrates youth. Aging – which something here that people want. Sometimes occurs daily – is approached they don’t even know they want it. This as something which should be regard for the individual, this caring, this W sense that you are somebody. People need accomplished in a specific way.Graceful is a popular adjective used to describe a process this more than ever. This is why I think which is often anything but. Growing older, we have lasted. And the graduates know it reaching milestones marked by the passing ... [but] … the world doesn’t … Service at of time is a gift. Anyone who appreciates Bennett went from visiting the old folks’ the value of having been around for a while, home on Thanksgiving to going to jail.” understands growing older has meaning. “In so many ways,” said Belle Williams. “I The late comedian, Richard Pryor once was so glad to go to college. It opened up quipped, “You don’t get to be old by being opportunities for me to express myself … no fool.” Hidden in plain sight is a profound It gave me something to want to do. I met understatement which speaks to the wisdom of people I wouldn’t otherwise have met.” lessons learned, the grace of mistakes forgiven and the dignity of persevering. Why and “In two ways,” explained Belle Dawson. “My how has Bennett College continued to strive, first job after graduating was a programmer survive and thrive for more than one hundred at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New and forty-three years against a backdrop of Mexico. I worked there two summers. The racial, sexual, and religious intolerance, state … program was geared toward students sanctioned discrimination, exclusionary laws attending HBCU … [and] … led to full couched in codes, covenants and restrictions, time employment. economic and political disenfranchisement,

18 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE “Profoundly,” asserted Belle Brown. “In the first place, it prepared me for graduate school. I found I was very well prepared – I was confident. In practical terms that was probably the most important thing…It’s a value-centered education as opposed to just the facts. Equally, the way of life at Bennett has been very important. By that I mean the emphasis on service and excellence. And excellence in many areas of life. There’s so much it’s difficult to summarize.”

“I have a college degree,” Belle McGlockton stated with pride. “I’m one of those who is fortunate [enough] to say, ’I graduated from a Black woman’s college.’ I was able to build History belongs to she who holds the pen… If we a stronger sisterhood with more seasoned don’t tell our stories, they won’t be told. Belles and the alumnae body.” JULIANNE MALVEAUX, 15TH PRESIDENT OF BENNETT COLLEGE “…It’s an honor to be a graduate of Bennett College because people have confidence “ in your ability…With a college degree you’re able to get better paying jobs and hat has contributed to Alma Mater Bennett’s my family was so proud. I thank God for longevity? putting Bennett in my path,” explained Belle McLendon. “I think my faith grew stronger W at Bennett and helped me as a married “Determination,” says Belle McGlockton. “Determination woman and later as a single parent. From of the students, faculty, staff, alumnae. This determination humble beginnings to having two beautiful just helped Bennett to strive to be better. Also, its history – children, Nicole and Martin, who are both because of what Bennett stands for. During the sixties Bennett college graduates doing well in their chosen empowered students…[with] love and [encouraged] them to professions…” stay strong – there’s so much history there…”

“It’s as simple as the confident, “Her ability to embrace women of all backgrounds and accomplished, productive Black women the for them to graduate and have a successful life,” adds Belle school [graduates],” said Belle Dawson. “It’s McLendon. “Bennett College has a knack for pulling women not just career – even the ones who go on to in and encouraging them to be better people…the beautiful make great mothers. We have a core group campus offers a loving environment and a quiet place where who are… training their daughters…[and] you can think. [The] expectation [is] to do the best you can and nieces in the Bennett tradition of can do. My be the best you can.” two daughters, regardless of where they go to college, have benefited from me being a “The quality of education,” says Belle Williams. “The interest Bennett Belle and they know about Bennett. Prexy had in his students.” The same is true for my two sons. They are better young black men because I’m a “The early leadership…[of] President Jones and Dr. Player,” product of Bennett.” offered Belle McKee. “The United Methodist Church has done its part, endowing her with purpose. Strong traditions – its purpose being fulfilled in educating and training young women.”

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 19 Have you grown to the point where you can unflinchingly stand up for the right, for that which is honorable, honest, truthful, whether it makes you popular or unpopular? Have you grown to the point where absolutely and unreservedly you make truth and honor your standard of thinking and “speaking?

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON

ennett College has survived – and thrived – because of her contributions. She isn’t growing old gracefully, rather she is continually adapting to a rapidly changing globally Binterconnected community by remaining true to her mission. “To continue to carry on the tradition of producing strong black women,” says Belle Dawson. “I am incredibly grateful that I went to Bennett, was nurtured by Bennett and I hope I am making the institution proud. I am living my life consistent with the Bennett ideal. It’s not just the moral aspect – it’s also the notion of empowerment … pride in culture … self and community. I know I am a more nurturing professor because I’m the product of an HBCU. My students appreciate that I am a double HBCU graduate. I think there will always be a need for HBCUs; there will also be a need for institutions to nurture Black women. There’s never going to be a one size fits all. There will always be some young women who will especially benefit from what Bennett has to offer.”

“I think it’s the one place where a girl who has the desire can be molded into a success,” observed Belle Williams.

“Just the thought of being a Bennett Belle makes you feel you can do anything,” says Belle McLendon. “You feel strong and empowered because you have so many role models and your see them doing mighty works in their communities, on their jobs and in their homes. Bennett teaches us to reach out and help others. And as long as we keep doing that God will bless us.”

20 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 21 Without a doubt, Bennett College was built to make a difference and she has made a difference and with all of our assistance, she is prepared to make a difference in the future.

ROSALIND FUSE-HALL “17TH PRESIDENT

hat does the future hold? For many [keep them] in the forefront. Traditions such it is the promise of something as emphasizing self-worth, the feeling that you better, nobler and more worthy. It’s have the ability to advance in society,” says Belle Wframe of reference to embrace and McKee. a state of being to aspire to. What is ahead for Bennett? “If you give Bennett a chance, you’ll definitely come to love it,” asserts Belle McGlockton. “…Expansion, growth, success,” says Belle McGlockton. “So many of us have grown to Bennett College remains committed to its love its history and culture. If they continue to mission and in the process produces graduates do outreach around the world, and promote who are competent, well-prepared, capable, Bennett, I feel like a lot of people will start confident, and concerned. Women who are gravitating to Bennett.” ready, willing and able to serve, lead, guide, manage, and direct. Bennett College: striving, “Keep the traditions…worth remembering surviving and thriving. n alive – those…on which the future is based –

¹ 163 U.S. 537, Plessy v. Ferguson (No. 210). Argued April 18, 1896, Decided May 18, 1896. ² Ibid. ³ Wilkerson, Isabel, The Warmth of Other Suns, The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration, ©2010 Isabel Wilkerson, Random House, New York.

Note: Since this article was written, Bertha McLendon has retired from A & T State University. Blanche Graves Williams made her transition April 24, 2015.

22 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE sChEDulE OF EvEnTs FEBruary aPril BENNETT COLLEGE 2/25, 26, 27 Africana Women’s Studies 7:30 p.m. (AWS)/History, Philosophy, Little Theatre Religion and Interdisciplinary 90th ANNIVERSARY as a The Spirit of Harriet Tubman Studies (HPRIS) presents Retrospective Film Series, No! WOMEN’S COLLEGE The Rape Documentary. (Date 2/22 - 2/26 and Time TBA) Gordon Parks Film Festival, hosted by the Journalism and Program by Sociologist, and Media Studies Department, will Director of Africana Studies, Dr. feature Antonio Fargas, David Ellington Graves, from Virginia Parks and rare historical films. By Felicia Smith, ’17 Journalism Major Tech. (Event, Date and Time To Be Confirmed) Greensboro — Bennett College MarCh celebrates its 90th anniversary this year Beginning of retrospective film series screening of sEPTEMBEr as a women’s college and has a series of path breaking films that 9/26 - 9/28 events scheduled to mark the milestone. were produced by young, Historic Site Tour of Bennett Black women filmmakers, College, as part of the North Carolina Preservation Statewide “Here at Bennett College we develop young highlighting Black women and social justice. Many of these Conference, highlighting women into future teachers, scientists, journalists, films made their premiere at Bennett College’s history as entrepreneurs, social workers, and the list goes on- Bennett College. This month’s a women’s college, and the because we go on,” said Bennett College President film will be “Silent Choices.” 75th anniversary of the Annie Rosalind Fuse-Hall. “As we celebrate 90 years of Merner Pfeiffer Chapel. Bennett College, we also celebrate 90 years of sisters 3/19, 8 a.m. who have come together on this campus, sisters There will be a seminar by Other Events who developed into more than just graduates and United Methodist Women - (dates and time TBA): achievers. Bennett Belles know that there is no limit Northern Piedmont District to what they can do, because no does not mean on immigration, with an never.” opening segment on the Fall 2016 relationship between the Black Women and Public History - features a panel Bennett College was founded in 1873 by Women’s Division and Trustee’s, and the Bennett Community of young Black women emancipated slaves in the basement of Warnersville to transform Bennett from a preservationists led by the Methodist Episcopal Church. Seventy young men coed institution to a women’s Director of Programs and and women started a school of elementary and college. Collections at the Civil Rights secondary level studies. In 1874, the college was Museum in Memphis, TN. under the Freedmen’s Aid Society for the next five 3/23, 7 p.m. years and in 1926, Bennett College was officially GLC AUDIToRIUM Presentation by Bennett named a Women’s College. Although Bennett “Beekeeper: Performing Black Alumna, Dr. Tia Smith, head College is a historically Black college, the college has Southern Women Who Love of communications at Xavier University both faculty and students who are from very diverse Women,” by E. Patrick Johnson, backgrounds. Carlos Montezuma Professor of Performance Studies and AWS/HPRIS Retrospective Film Series continues with: Susie Ms. Deborah Love, who is the President of Bennett African American Studies at Northwestern University in Powell’s “The Loving Story”; College National Alumnae Association, and Ms. Evanston, Ill. “Black./Woman. Conversations Keri Petersen, assistant professor of history in the with Lesbians of African College’s Department of Humanities are chairing Descent” and “The New Black.” the planning committee. The events planned to highlight the anniversary are as follows: For more information on the Anniversary Celebration events, www.bennett.edu

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 23 Cherishing the Legacy of our Past and Acknowledging the Achievements of our Present

Bennett College Belles in 24 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE Motion Angeles, where she established 1940s. “Growing up black and Brown’s many honors are the a pioneering course on the having goals that, for a while, Dorothy L. Brown Women’s 1930’s history of blacks in American I thought were unachievable, Residence at Meharry College theater. Over the course of the YWCA sort of helped me in 1970, the humanitarian The Bennett Four - the first her long career, Belle Norman reach some of the goals I had award from the Carnegie women who graduated from received numerous awards for myself,” Belle Herbert Foundation in 1993 and the Bennett College as a four year for her acting, including the said in a Oct. 19, 1997 news prestigious Horatio Alger liberal arts college for women. Black Filmmakers Hall of article, when she became one Award in 1994. As she often ruth artis Whitfield - the Fame Award in 1977 which of 11 women inducted into the said, she was proud to be a role first librarian at Bennett. was one of the highlights of Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame. model, “not because I have Maggie simpson Matthews her career. Even though her done so much, but to say to - the first African American experience of acting in early young people that it can be Director of the YWCA in Dr. Dorothy Brown ’41 Hollywood cinema was typical Belle Brown was the first done.” Detroit, Michigan. Margaret for African-American actors, Dean Freeman - the first woman to practice general she was able to bring dignity to surgery in the South and Dr. LuciLLe coLe thomas ’41 African American hired as a the characters she played. retail sales person who later eventually being made chief of Belle Thomas serves on the joined her husband to establish surgery at Nashville’s Riverside 38-member Board of Trustees their own clothing business. Hospital. She interned for of the Brooklyn (NY) Public alma Tarpley Taylor - the 1940’s a year at Harlem Hospital Library. She was appointed to first President of the National in New York City, but was this position by the Mayor of Alumnae Association. rejected when she applied for a the City of New York. Each cLarice gamBLe herBert ’40 surgical residency. At the time, mayor has reappointed her maiDe ruth gamBLe Belle Herbert was the first many in the medical profession since 1983. During that time African-American woman did not believe a woman, let she has served as president, norman ’38 to assume directorship of alone a black woman, could vice president and chair of Belle Norman was an actress a YWCA in Philadelphia. handle the rigors of surgical committees of the Board. Just who appeared in various Herbert was part of a training. Dorothy turned to recently, the Brooklyn Public movies such as Whatever remarkable family that Dr. Matthew Walker, Meharry Library named an award in Happened to Baby Jane, moved to Lima from Villa Medical College’s longtime her honor. The Lucille Cole Airport 77, Halloween III, A Rica, Georgia, in 1916. chief of surgery, for help. Thomas award will be given Raisin in the Sun and also in Her father, L.C. Gamble, Against the advice of his staff, annually to a staff member the television series Dragnet was one of Lima’s first black Walker asked Brown to join who meets the established and Days of Our Lives to policemen, served as a trustee the faculty and she became a requirements of excellence. name a few. Belle Norman’s of Wilberforce College and professor of surgery in 1957, She served as director of acting career began in the helped found Bradfield Center a job she held until 1983. libraries for all elementary and late 1940’s at a time when when his sons, James and Louis She was also the first African middle schools for the City of African-American actors were Jr., were not allowed to join American woman to be made New York. She is a certified not given many opportunities the YMCA. He also was active a fellow of the American librarian with a Master of to showcase their acting in Republican Party politics College of Surgeons. Dorothy’s Library Science degree from skills and talent. She was for 37 years before his death determination, beliefs, and Columbia University. She is an known for refusing to play in 1961. Her sister, Maide values helped her to break active member of Alpha Kappa her character in What Ever norman was a stage, film and through barriers in other Alpha Sorority, Inc. where she Happened to Baby Jane? in television actress, who, among aspects of her life. In 1956, she is an active member of Eta a stereotypically demeaning her many roles, appeared with became the first single adoptive Omega Omega Chapter and manner and even rewrote Bette Davis and Joan Crawford mother in Tennessee and then, has served as President and Co- some of her lines to eliminate in What Ever Happened to Baby in 1966, when redistricting Coordinator of their cluster. “old slavery-time talk.” While Jane? In 1920, when the 19th opened the door for an African Hollywood offered her limited Amendment giving women the American candidate, Belle Dr. aLice hoLLoway young ’44 parts, Maide was able to play right to vote was ratified, her Brown was asked to run for Belle Young is a gifted teacher, leading roles on the stage; she mother, Lila Graham Gamble, a seat in the state legislature an untiring advocate and also appeared in numerous was the first woman in Lima and won becoming the first administrator. As a founding made-for- television films to cast a vote. Belle Herbert, black woman representative trustee of Monroe Community and mini-series. In addition who, during her high school to the state legislature. She College, and as the chair from to her acting career, Belle and college years was involved was successful in getting a 1978 to 1998, she provided Norman taught drama at with the YWCA, became a law passed that allowed single leadership that helped MCC Stanford University and the volunteer desk clerk with the women to adopt children in become a premier institution. University of California at Los YWCA in Lima in the early the state of Tennessee. Among Belle Young was among

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 25 the first African-American of the Peace Corps. She was gLenDora m. Putnam ’45 JanoL whitfieLD ’53 teachers, and the first African- the first woman and the first Belle Putnam served as Fred and Belle Janol Curry American reading specialist, African American to hold this assistant attorney general for Whitfield ’53 received the vice principal, and principal position working as an overseas civil rights in Massachusetts Lifetime Community Service respectively in New York State country director, supervising before serving as chair of the Award at the recent 56th retiring in 1985 as supervising 130 volunteers working on Massachusetts Commission Anniversary of the Sit-In director of elementary projects on eight islands in against Discrimination. She Movement sponsored by the instruction. Other “firsts” the eastern Caribbean. As one extended her work, serving International Civil Rights include the first African- of only two female country as Deputy Assistant Secretary Center and Museum in American Title I Director of directors, Payton’s success for Fair Housing and Equal Greensboro recently. They have programs for educationally and was critical in demonstrating Opportunity for the U.S. been residents of Greensboro economically deprived children that women were equally Department of Housing for over 60 years and married and the author and supervisor effective could effectively and Urban Development in for as many years. At their 50th of the District’s first integration do the job which resulted in Washington, D.C., and as an anniversary party her sons Fred programs, the Urban Suburban gender being eliminated as equal opportunity officer for and Charles honored them Program, which is still in a qualification for overseas the Massachusetts Housing with an endowed scholarship existence today. Her list of staff positions. Payton was an Finance Agency. She was the in their name at Bennett. Janol awards include but the About active member of American first national president of the holds a Masters of Education Time Exemplar Community Psychology Association and a YWCA. She received her law from North Carolina A&T Uplift Award; Urban League fellow of Division 35. She was degree from Boston University. State University and retired of Rochester’s Distinguished one of the original members after 30 years of teaching Community Service Award; on the Task Force on the elementary school. They both Award for Humanitarian and Psychology of Black Women have been longtime (over 40 Distinguished Achievement in 1976, now the Section 1950’s years) contributors, volunteers in Community Service; on the Psychology of Black and supporters of the Hayes the Civic Award from the Women. The Section’s Early Dr. marion Lee BeLL ’53 Taylor YMCA where they Rochester Area Chamber of Career Award is named in Belle Belle Bell is a retired educator have the “Teen Room” and Commerce for Meritorious Payton’s Honor (The Carolyn classroom named in their Contributions in the Field Payton Early Career Award). who spent the second semester of 2014 teaching honor. Belle. Whitfield was of Education, the University Payton also served on many instrumental in assisting her of Rochester Distinguished APA boards and committees Transformational Leadership at Africa University, which is class raise over $100,000 for Alumna Award; and the including the Committee on their 50th class reunion in highest honor conferred by Women in Psychology (CWP); United Methodist affiliated, in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Bell 2003 which was a record held the State University of New the Membership Committee; until four years ago. York Association of the Boards the Committee of Scientific taught 180 students during two successive six weeks of Trustees of Community and Professional Ethics and Dr. Juanita Patience moss ’54 Colleges, the Anne M. Conduct; the Gay, Lesbian, and periods. Marion’s students Bushnell Memorial Award Bisexual Concerns Committee; developed a prototype A past recipient of the for Special Achievement. Dr. and the Policy and Planning of a school, business or National Alumnae Association Young is a former fellow at Board. Her list of awards organization. The students’ Presidential Award and an R.I.T.; and a former president include the Distinguished oral and written presentations honorary doctorate from of the five counties Rochester Professional Contributions included their budget, King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Area Chapter of Phi Delta to Public Service Award, the fundraising, staffing and an Pennsylvania; Belle Moss is an Kappa Fraternity and the Delta APA Committee on Women in execution of a detailed plan of author of three books about Kappa Gamma International Psychology Leadership Citation operation. Bell taught similar black soldiers serving in the Education Society. Award honored her for her role courses to UNLV students in Civil War. One as “an outstanding teacher, role the last semester of its master’s of which highlighted her model, and mentor for women program. Bell previously served great-grandfather from caroLyn roBertson as the Bennett College NAA Edenton, North Carolina Payton ’45 and ethnic minorities. In 1997, Belle Payton received the APA President and on the Board of who, as a runaway slave, Belle Payton was chosen by Award for Outstanding Lifetime Trustees. Under her leadership, joined the Union Army to President John F. Kennedy to Contribution to Psychology the alumnae raised their first gain his freedom. Belle Moss is help develop the procedures for for her “dedication to using million dollars collectively. She currently receiving submissions trainee selection for the Peace psychology to promote better is a member of the Las Vegas for her second volume of Tell Corps. She was the director of cross-cultural understanding Chapter. Me Why Dear Bennett: Memoirs the Caribbean region and was and to end social injustice by of Bennett College Belles. She later appointed by President influencing political process. was also the featured speaker Jimmy Carter as the director this fall for Descendant’s Day

26 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE at The African American Civil College Board of Trustees. of Peace for the City of campus, and without hundreds War Museum in Washington, In 2011, Dixon’s one million Hiroshima, Japan and was 11 of women who sat down, D.C. At this event, she shared contribution marked the largest years old in Hiroshima when marched and were incarcerated information on Thomas alumna gift in the history of the city was destroyed by an from 1960 to 1963, the Patience and Samuel James Bennett College. The Martin atomic bomb on August 6, Sit-in effort and subsequent Patterson, U.S. Colored Troops Dixon Intergenerational 1945 at the end of World desegregation of Greensboro soldiers who are listed on Center is named in her honor. War II. For many years, Belle and even other cities, might the African American Civil She continues to be a strong Tamura-Snider Tamura Snider not have succeeded. Bettye War Museum (AACWM) supporter of Bennett College. has been appearing before Davis McCain, class of 1963, Monument as well as Crowder In 2015, she donated a professional organizations, committed to sitting at the Patience, her great-grandfather 14-passenger bus to the center university classes, and “white-only” lunch counter of who fought in a white regiment and college to use for field community groups across F. and W. Woolworth’s variety during the Civil War. and road trips. Belle Dixon, the United States and in her store with students from along with her late husband, native Japan, telling her story A&T and to return until it marian tasco ’54 were co-owners of Creative and encouraging people of was integrated. On February Belle Marian is historically Management Technology, all cultures and nations to 4, 1960, close to a dozen known as Pennsylvania’s first Inc., a well-established examine the consequences of “Bennett Belles” were arrested African-American County federal services contracting the use of nuclear weapons due to their continuing protest Commissioner. Tasco is firm headquartered in Cocoa and to work toward peace and at Woolworth’s. Among the widely recognized as one of Beach, Florida. They had two nuclear nonproliferation. She Belles participating in the Philadelphia’s most influential, children, both whom died at tells of the challenge of peace Sit-ins were: yvonne lyons politically savvy, and pro-active early ages: the daughter of an and of lessons we have learned revell, ’63; Gwendolyn public officials. Elected to incurable kidney disease and from Hiroshima since the war. Mackel rice, ’61; roslyn serve her seventh term as City the son in a plane crash. Dixon She recently was a guest of smith, ’61; Esther Terry, Council Representative for the initiated Linkages of Life, an the City of Hiroshima for its ’61; von Deleath Kersey, Ninth District in November organ, tissue and bone marrow 70th anniversary where she ’61; Mary Ellen Bender, ’60; 2011, the Councilwoman donation awareness program, gave the opening message to shirley Dismuke Graham, represents more than 155,000 through The Links, Inc., in the children. A portion of her ’61; Dolores Finger-Wright, residents in Philadelphia. memory of their daughter. talk was about Bennett College ’61; Jean neff; ’62; rosalyn Belle Tasco is the 50th Ward The international program is and how she holds a special Cheagle, ’62; and nancy Leader. Tasco, who lives in credited with saving thousands place for a College that was her Kirby, ’60. East Mount Airy, was the of lives. An annual scholarship first destination and refuge in second woman and first African is given in their son’s memory troubled times. Dr. LinDa Brown ’61 American elected to the City at the high school from which Belle Brown is an author, Commissioners. She leaves he graduated in Wiesbaden, educator, and civil rights the City Council with the Germany. Belle Dixon is a activist. She has taught at Kent distinction of service as one of member of many service and 1960’s State University, University of its longest-tenured members. community organizations North Carolina-Greensboro, A member of Democratic including the Astronauts The historic Greensboro, Guilford College and Bennett National Committee, Memorial Foundation, North Carolina lunch counter College. At Bennett, she Councilwoman Tasco is on Commission on the Status of Sit-in on February 1, 1960 is was the Willa B. Player the Host Committee for the Women, Junior Achievement one of the most well-known Distinguished Professor of the 2016 Democratic National Board of Directors, and the incidents in Civil Rights Humanities where she taught Convention. She has an American Red Cross. She is history. This singular event African American Literature endowed scholarship at a member of the Greensboro was universally credited to and was the director of the Bennett in her name. Belle Public Library Foundation, four young men from North Honors Program. She is the Tasco retired January, 2016 the Leadership Council of Carolina A&T State University. author of the following books: after 30 years of service and the American Cancer Society, Significantly, the integration Black Angels, Rainbow ’Roun requested that all funds from The Links, Inc., Delta Sigma of public accommodations Mah Shoulder, Crossing Over her retirement bash be given Theta Sorority Inc., Providence of that city and many cities Jordan and The Long Walk, to Bennett College. She is a Baptist Church and the followed. What historians A History of the Presidency of member of Delta Sigma Theta Bennett College Alumnae overlooked:, according to Belles Willa B. Player at Bennett Sorority, Inc. Association. of Liberty: Gender, Bennett College. She was awarded a College by Dr. Linda Brown, Headlands Center for the Dr. Joyce martin Dixon ’56 hiDeko tamura-sniDer ’56 ’61, was that the first Sit-in Arts Residency by the N.C. Belle Tamura-Snider currently in Greensboro was carefully Arts Council in 1992. Belle Belle Dixon is a former planned on Bennett College’s member of the Bennett serves as the Ambassador Brown has been a guest lecturer

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 27 for the Greensboro Public ceremony, the trustees wanted Fellowship to create a yvonne Jeffers Johnson ’64 Library Celebration “One to honor Esther’s good work large-scale public artwork Belle Johnson was the first City One Book,” where she over the past year by removing using similar techniques in African American elected to gave a three part lecture series “interim” from her title and she the Marshes of Glynn in City Council in Greensboro and on Ernest Gaines’ A Lesson was named Bennett College’s Brunswick, Georgia. There later became the first African- Before Dying, and a three part 16th President. Esther was a was also a book written by American mayor of the city. A lecture series on the novels of young student at Bennett in Lucy Lippard titled, Beverly native of Greensboro, she grew Toni Morrison. Her poetry 1960 when she participated Buchanan, 1978 –1981, that up on what was once North appears in anthologies and in the sit-ins at the local looks at the social and aesthetic Carolina A&T State University’s magazines such as The Black Woolworth lunch counter. She propositions of Buchanan’s farm on East Market Street, Scholar, Ebony Junior, and the often recalled the planning of art practice from these is now owned by the tobacco children’s magazine, Cricket. the Greensboro Woolworth’s formative years. Through the giant Lorillard. Her uncle, W.L. At 14 she began writing and sit-ins with students from the economic, social, and historical Kennedy, was the first African published first inBeyond the Agricultural and Technical networks that constitute American to receive a Ph.D. Blues, a poetry anthology, College of North Carolina Buchanan’s sculptures, this in dairy science. He owned when she was only nineteen. (later North Carolina A & book explores how the artist’s the farm and paid for her Her plays include Wildfire: T University), being arrested memorials, mounds, and education at Bennett College. Black Hands, White Marble, for her participation, and living fields intersect with life Johnson was heavily involved which is the story of Edmonia the support of then Bennett in the American South. Belle in the Bennett community Lewis, a black Indian sculptor College President, Dr. Willa Buchanan explores Southern during her matriculation and who broke historical barriers Player. Prior to joining vernacular architecture her extracurricular activities with her art; Kitchen Talk Bennett, she spent four decades in multiple mediums, included singing in the choir, which details the ordinary as a faculty member and encompassing sculpture, leading a Girl Scout troop and lives of African American administrator at University of photography, drawing, and participating in the Student families; Congo’s River Song that Massachusetts - Amherst in the site-specific installation. Her Government Association. was produced by the North W.E.B Dubois Department work is held in the permanent She was chair of the Bennett Carolina Museum of Art; and of Afro-American Studies and collections of The Metropolitan College Board of Trustees for Dangerous Pretty, a short story helped to establish a premier Museum of Art, New York; the ten years, served on the Board based on the musical life of graduate program. Esther Whitney Museum of American of Directors for the local United New Orleans at the turn of was one of the founding Art, New York; and the High Way and served on the boards the century. In addition, Black faculty of the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum of Art, Atlanta. of the Malachi House, Triad Angels was the “Okra” pick for Department of Afro-American Sickle-Cell Anemia Foundation, the 2009 annual conference Studies, and was tapped to margaret s. fortune ’62 the Youth Services Bureau, of the South Carolina serve as its Chair in 1988. Belle Fortune operates six the YWCA, Greensboro Independent Booksellers and In 1996, the department K-8 charter schools, five in Cerebral Palsy School, and the was named one of the Best of inaugurated its doctoral Sacramento and one in San Greensboro Child Advocacy the Best Books of 2009 by the program and she continued to Bernardino, California. The Board. In addition, Yvonne Chicago Public Libraries. serve as Chair until 2007. The schools are college prep schools was a board member of department also developed The and are designed in every way the local Commission on Dr. esther terry ’61 Esther M. Terry Award for the to close the achievement gap the Status of Women, the Belle Terry was the first alumna Distinguished Dissertation in between African American Black Child Development to ever serve as President of Afro-American Studies in her students and their White Institute, Goodwill Industries, Bennett College., N.C. She honor. After her retirement in and Asian peers. Each of the Greensboro Education and served as provost and vice 2009, she became Provost at classrooms adopts a college Development Council, the president for academic affairs her alma mater. to model as a goal the young North Carolina Community beginning in 2009 and was scholars are going to reach. Sentencing Association, the been named interim president BeverLy Buchanan ’62 They post t-shirts and pennants Greensboro Arts Council, in 2012 after the resignation In the summer of 1977, of each college beside the the Greensboro Housing of Dr. Julianne Malveaux. following a ten-year career as doors entering the classrooms. Coalition, and the Sherri During her tenure as provost, a public health educator in Bennett College is one of Denise Jackson Foundation. Terry oversaw a redesign of the the Bronx and East Orange, the colleges featured. Their She has received numerous general education curriculum New Jersey, Belle Buchanan network of schools is under the recognitions including the and the establishment of an exhibited a selection of cast name of Rex C. and Margaret African-American Women of honors program that produced concrete sculptures at Truman S. Fortune School of Education Distinction Award in 1993, the a finalist for the Rhodes Gallery on 38 East 57th Street. and the Fortune Schools. Girl Scouts of America: Wing Scholarship. During the Three years later, in 1980, Scout, the Curved Bar Award May 2012 commencement she received a Guggenheim from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,

28 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE Tau Omega Chapter Citizen A black woman who was once community programs about Videoconference on Minority of the Year Awards in 1995, denied the right to vote in rural the story of the Underground Health). In 2009, Browne the Greensboro Commission North Carolina, Powell passed Railroad and the secret codes became the Special Assistant on the Status of Women the Ohio Bar Examination of the slave quilts correlating to the Chancellor and the Achievement Award, the and immediately set out to this story with the secret codes Director of the Public Health Sigma Image Award, the James right the wrongs of our nation. found in the Negro spirituals. Institute at North Carolina Benson Dudley High School After a full career dedicated to For more than 30 years she A&T State University. From Education and Sports Hall poverty law, Belle Powell began served in various educational 2001 to 2009, Belle Browne of Fame Award, the Bennett exercising her talent for writing. capacities including teacher of was the senior scientist for College Women of Substance She has published many short the deaf and hard of hearing Morgan State University’s Award. Belle Johnson is also stories. While the documentary in the states of California and NIH-funded Prevention the recipient of the Gandhi, periodically shows on HBO, North Carolina. Sciences Research Center King, Ikeda Award for Peace, it can now be purchased on (which subsequently housed Unity, Non-Violence and Amazon at http://www.amazon. Dr. Joyce garrett ’65 the Drug Abuse Research Justice and the Rosetta C. com/The-Loving-Story-Jane- Belle Garrett received her M.M Program, the Summer Baldwin Foundation Strength, Alexander/dp/B00BD5GGI6. from Catholic University and Research Training Program Power and Bravery Award. Honorary Doctorates from for Undergraduate Students, fay Lee roBinson ’64 Bennett College and West the Health Services Research susie PoweLL ’64 Belle Robinson is an Virginia Wesleyan College, Training Program, and the After receiving three internationally acclaimed opera Buckhannon, WV. She is an Faculty Fellows Research nominations at the singer and a professor at the honored educator and choral Program in Drug Abuse 34th Annual News and University of Arizona. Her director whose award-winning Prevention). In addition, Belle Documentary Emmy Awards spectacular career has been choirs have performed for Browne was co-director of the in 2013, The Loving Story highlighted by performances Presidents Ronald Reagan, Morgan-Hopkins Center for took home the award for in the major musical centers George H.W. Bush, George Health Disparities Solutions Outstanding Historical of Europe, North and South W. Bush, William Clinton, – a collaborative venture with Programming (Long Form) of America. Opera houses include and Barack Obama at annual the Johns Hopkins School of which Belle Powell wrote the Paris, Berlin, Vienna and televised specials including Public Health. She received screenplay. In 1967, Richard Argentina. Belle Robinson is “Christmas in Washington” her B.A. from Bennett and Mildred Loving challenged equally renowned as a concert and the “Kennedy Center College in sociology, M.S.W. the Supreme Court to legally artist having performed with Honors.” Belle Garrett also degree from the University live in Virginia and have the Orchestras of Chicago, currently serves as Music and of Pittsburgh and the M.P.H. their marriage recognized by Cleveland, New York, Boston, Worship Arts Ministry Director, and Dr.PH from Harvard the state. The documentary London and Berlin. She has Alfred Street Baptist Church, University. Browne began her examined the history and become known as a specialist in Alexandria, VA. public health career at the current tolerance for interracial the interpretation of works by School of Public Health at marriages throughout the Sir Michael Tippett. Dr. Dorothy c. Browne ’69 UNC-CH, where she gained tenure and was promoted. United States. Also nominated Belle Browne joined Jackson for Outstanding Documentary BarBara reeves hart ’64 State University in 2015 as its and Outstanding Editing at Belle Hart was one of four inaugural dean of Mississippi’s Dr. gwenDoLyn sneeD the News and Documentary recipients of Appalachian first School of Public Health. o’neaL ’69 Emmys, The Loving Story State University’s Faces of Since 2012, Browne has served Belle O’Neal is heading a has had a history of critical Courage Award. She came to as an adjunct professor of commission to establish an acclaim since its premier at Appalachian to earn a master’s maternal and child welfare accrediting agency for the the Full Frame Documentary degree in special education at the University of North International Textiles and Film Festival in April 2011. It and became the first African- Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings Apparel Association, an has won the Writer’s Guild of American to receive a master’s School of Global Public organization of academic and America (WGA) Documentary degree from the university. Health while also working with apparel industry professional Screenplay Award at the AFI The Faces of Courage Award colleagues from UNC-CH and from more than 20 countries. Discover Channel Silverdocs recognizes those who were Duke University (Consortium The agency will assure quality Festival in 2011 and the instrumental in Appalachian for Social Equity) conducting and accountability in apparel Gabrielle Award and the State University’s early diversity workshops, teaching courses in and textile programs in higher George Foster Peabody Award, efforts. Since retirement, she health disparities and planning education. Belle Sneed both in 2013. Co-produced helped established the African the National Health Equity retired in 2014 after 43 years by HBO Documentary Films, American Quilt Guild of Research Webcast (formerly in higher education with The Loving Story first aired Gaston County in 2005. The the Annual Summer Public numerous honors, awards and on HBO in February 2012. guild has presented several Health Research Institute and academic publications. She

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 29 is an ordained minister who in Science”: Astrophysicist to Fellow after serving 28 years irma Bivens Jackson ’70 serves on the Board of Trustees Zoologist.” Belle Carwell is of outstanding service to the Belle Jackson was featured in of Central Baptist Theological a board member and served North Carolina Institute the Winston Salem Journal for Seminary. as President of the Northern of Minority Economic her work as a master gardener. California Council of Black Development (NCIMED) Jackson began volunteering at Professional Engineers. She and 26 years as its director. her grandson’s school, Diggs- 1970’s is a treasurer for the National Her life has been dedicated Latham, when he was in Council of Black Engineers to overcoming barriers pre-kindergarten and decided Dr. hattie carweLL ’70 and Scientist, co-founder and to economic growth and to start a community garden at Belle Carwell, ’70, grew up chair of the Development opportunity. Growing up the school. In the beginning, in Ashland, Virginia where Fund for Black Students in in the rural community of she was a committee of one. she was encouraged by her Science and Technology, and Henderson, North Carolina, A few teachers, parents and community to become a Director of the Museum of during the heart of the Civil students would drop by and scientist. After graduating African American Technology Rights movement, she had help on occasion, but no one high school Hattie enrolled Science Village. seen more than her share of stayed long-term. Determined, in Bennett College. She inequality. After graduating Jackson was not ready to give graduated from the college in Dr. JacqueLyn grant ’70 from Bennett College, she up on her idea of a garden 1971 with a bachelor’s degree Belle Grant became involved chose to become a community where children could learn in chemistry. In the fall of with the Women’s Studies organizer, rather than attend about growing things. It was 1971, Carwell was enrolled Program at the Harvard graduate school. In addition, hard in the beginning because in Rutgers University New Divinity School within the she is a past recipient of when the soil was first turned, Brunswick where she earned Women’s Research Program the Abe Venable Award for it was discovered that building a M.S. degree in health in 1977. Her involvement Lifetime Achievement by the debris had been buried where physics. After graduating there led to the creation of the United States Department the garden was to be. As the soil from Rutgers University, Belle Women’s Studies in Religion of Commerce Minority was tilled, often rocks, bricks Carwell obtained a position Program, and she remained Business Development Agency and other items turned up, with the U.S. Department of there until 1979. She also (MBDA). Appointed by making it difficult to prepare Energy and the International founded the Center for Black President Nixon, Abe Venable for planting. But Belle Jackson Atomic Energy Agency as a Women in Church and Society was the first person to head the was not deterred. She applied health physicist and nuclear at the Interdenominational Office of Minority Business for a grant from the Whole safeguards group leader. She Theological Center in 1981, Enterprise and this national Foods Foundation and received worked both nationally and where she continues to serve award is given to an individual $2,000 to help purchase a internationally for the agency. as director and professor. who has played an integral much-needed tiller. Her first Belle Carwell went on to A successful author, Belle role in the creative, technical plants were donated lettuce that work in Vienne, where she Grant has written or edited or professional progress of was too wilted to sell. Through served as a nuclear safeguards several books, including the minority business over people she met at Old Salem inspector and group leader White Women’s Christ and the course of their life. Under who were starting a children’s at the International Atomic Black Women’s Jesus: Feminist Belle Harris’ leadership, in the garden, she learned about seed Energy Agency from 1980 Christology and Womanist past decade alone, NCIMED collections and helped to launch to 1985. In 1990, she Response, the all-time best- has provided consulting the Homowo seed collection moved to San Francisco, selling book released by and technical assistance to project, which collects seeds California and worked with Scholars Press, and her most nearly 11,000 companies primarily from Africa or with the Department of Energy as recent book, Perspectives on and trained nearly 28,000 African-American roots. Her a program manager for high Womanist Theology. Belle business people. Companies grandson is now grown, but energy and nuclear programs. Grant was the recipient of the receiving NCIMED assistance Jackson continues to maintain Later, Belle Carwell became Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. have been awarded more than the community garden. Some a senior facility operations Ministry Award in 1986 and $256 million in contracts, of the produce from the garden engineer at Berkeley in 1992. has been nominated as the completed nearly $197 million goes into the school’s Backpack In 1994, she was promoted Woman of the Year in Religion in financial transactions and Program to feed hungry to operations lead, a position by the Iota Phi Lambda created more than 21,000 jobs. children. The garden has yielded in which she held until 2006. Sorority. She also appears in In addition to the Abe Venable strawberries, cherry tomatoes, She later became a senior Who’s Who Among African Award, her achievements have carrots, peanuts, asparagus, and physical scientist before Americans. garnered her numerous awards even green cotton. Although retiring in 2008. Belle Carwell such as the Triangle Business green cotton isn’t a food, it has written two books and Dr. anDrea harris ’70 Journal’s Leaders in Diversity teaches children what cotton numerous articles. One of Award in 2014. looks like before it is cleaned, Bennett College Trustee Belle her books is titled “Blacks Harris transitioned to Senior spun and woven into cloth.

30 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE Becoming a Master Gardener school for 1 to 2 hours. The and Sickle Cell Agency, Gladys Chancellor of the Alabama was never part of Jackson’s mentors make an eight-year served as Interim Executive Community College System. plan. A friend who was taking commitment to stay with the Director and Program Director the Master Gardening class same group of girls from the at United Services for Older theresa Bennett-wiLkes ’72 through the NC Agricultural 4th grade until they graduate. Adults and as Director for Belle Bennett-Wilkes is a Extension Agency asked The young ladies who began the Retired Senior Volunteer self-published author of Anna Irma to come with her. Since the program six years ago are Program. Dr. Robinson is May and the Preacher: A she happened to have some now in the 11th grade and are currently serving as a Senator Collection of Short Stories, free time, she took the class, making plans to further their representing District 28 in 2nd Edition, which is available became a Master Gardener, and education. Rose has been a the North Carolina General on Amazon. Belle Bennett- recently was honored as the volunteer in the school district Assembly. Other professional Wilkes is collaborating with Agricultural Volunteer of the for 18 years. Belle Jordan and civic affiliations include Jovelyn Richards, actor and Year. received a Master’s Degree serving on the University comedian, on Up All Night, a in Social Work from the of North Carolina Board of one-woman improvisational verneLLe cLements University of Pittsburgh, and Governors, where she is vice show, featuring Anna May and Boykin ’71 has taken additional classes chair of the Committee on the Preacher. She is currently in clinical psychology at Penn Education, Planning and Policy Belle Boykin is transforming at work on her next literary State University in Harrisburg. and chair of the Health Affairs offering, Unfinished Business: lives by volunteering at Belle Jordan is married to Committee. In addition, Dr. five schools in Haiti. As A Novel, due out in 2017. Wendell Jordan and has four Robinson serves on the Board Belle Bennett-Wilkes grew an Education Team adult children. of Directors for the North Mathematician and up in the San Francisco Bay Carolina Teacher Academy Area. She currently resides in Chairperson for Community and on the SETRAC (grants) Coalition for Haiti (CCH), Dr. gLaDys ashe roBinson ’71 High Point and teaches writing Belle Robinson joined Committee of the Greensboro classes at Guildford Technical she works with principals, Convention and Visitors teachers, students and Piedmont Health Services Community College, and Sickle Cell Agency as Board. She chaired the North Jamestown, N.C. their families to promote Carolina Council on Sickle Cell student learning. She takes Executive Director in 1982. Her roles as Executive Director Syndrome for 12 years and does Johanna Lee wright ’74 educational supplies, presents training for the membership professional development are many, including the Belle Wright is a well-known overall management of the of the Sickle Cell Disease seminars modeling proven Association of America. former basketball coach with teaching techniques and agency, agency and program the South-Orange-Maplewood mentors teachers and students development, grant writing (NJ) School District. During in their classrooms. Boykin for new and existing projects, Dr. Joan yvette Davis ’72 her 31 years of service at photographs and collects fundraising, chief liaison to Belle Davis is the Chancellor Columbia High School, her background information for the Board of Directors and of Delgado Community teams won eight conference student financial sponsorships. directing the overall mission College located in New championships, four Essex She also compiles students’ and vision of the organization. Orleans, Louisiana. Davis County championships and health data (vaccinations, In addition to her management was the unanimous choice of were a State Tournament of dental, height, weight) duties, Robinson is involved the 17-member board of the Champions finalist on two supporting CCH’s Medical in several adjunct projects. Louisiana Community and occasions with an 86 game teams. She is currently serving as Technical College System. winning streak. It is one of the Principal Investigator for Delgado is the state’s second the longest winning streaks for rose JeweLL JorDan ’71 grants funded through the largest college, serving over any sport - girls or boys in the Centers for Disease Control 30,000 degree-seeking and Belle Jordan was named state’s history. Coach Wright (CDC), Health Resources non-credit students at eight has the distinction of being Volunteer of the Year 2015/16 and Services Administration locations, including two new by the Susquehanna Township named the head coach in the (HRSA) and the Substance Technical Division sites. Prior inaugural McDonald’s High School District Volunteer Abuse and Mental Health to this appointment, she Program in Harrisburg, PA. School All-American game Services Administration served as General Counsel, at Madison Square Garden. Belle Jordan is the founder and (SAMHSA), among others. Vice Chancellor for Legal program coordinator of Youth Under her leadership, 60 of her She has served as an instructor and Human Resources and players have attended college Mentorvention, a school based at the Duke University Chief Executive Officer of mentoring program for at risk on full basketball scholarships. Nonprofit Management the Alabama Department Belle Wright is not only a youth in grades 4 through Center, Triad Region; and is of Postsecondary Education 12. Belle Jordan and her five coach but taught health/family a Grants Reviewer for CDC which provided workforce- life and physical education mentors meet with small and HRSA. Prior to her tenure development training and groups of girls once a week at at Columbia High School. at Piedmont Health Services assistance and as an Interim She is the founder/advisor

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 31 of the Martin Luther King, for the study of how Spirituals both therapeutic and cosmetic Science in Washington, D.C. Jr. Cultural Horizons Club can be performed in a concert products and is a consultant She was selected as an Albert and is a member of the South setting. Even the more for some of the world’s leading Einstein Fellow out of a pool Orange/Maplewood Board of experienced performer of this cosmetic and consumer brands. of 200 applicants. This is one Education. repertoire will have reason to Belle Callender is the medical of the federal government’s seek out information about director of the Callender most elite opportunities DeBorah tiLLman Love ’79 the wide range of recordings-- Dermatology & Cosmetic for advanced professional Belle Love currently serves including a number of rare or Center in Glenn Dale, MD, development for STEM as President of the Bennett out-of-print long-playing (33 which combines medical and educators. Belle Florentia College National Alumnae 1/3 rpm) and 78 rpm albums, surgical dermatology, clinical is working full time at the Association. This is her audio cassettes and 45 rpm research, medical skin care, and National Science Foundation second time serving in this discs. aesthetics procedures and is and will be immersed in capacity (she served in 2013 currently an Associate Professor opportunities that weigh in where when elected, she Dr. vaLerie caLLenDer ’82 of Dermatology at Howard on public policy as it relates was the youngest National Belle Callender is President University. to K-12 education specifically Alumnae President). Belle of the Women’s Dermatologic in computer science. She Love is retired after 40 years Society (WDS) and a Dr. marcia strong miLLett ’84 worked on several projects with the Internal Revenue member of the Board of Belle Millett is the first lady at that promoted an increase in Service. Deborah is an active Directors. In addition to her Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, the number of well-trained member of Alpha Kappa Alpha various leadership roles with AL where her husband Dr. teachers in Computer Science Sorority, Inc. WDS, she is also a founding Peter Edmund Millet serves as Education to 10,000 to be member and immediate past the sixth President. She earned placed in 10,000 schools president of the Skin of Color her Ed.D. at Tennessee State across the nation. Her greatest 1980’s Society. Belle Callender, an University, Nashville, and her accomplishment was the internationally recognized master’s degree from The Ohio creation of the CE21 booklet ranDye Jones ’80 Board Certified Dermatologist, State University. She currently of Computer Science projects that was disseminated to all In March 2015, Belle Jones is known for her sensitive serves as the associate dean for and cutting-edge approach the Division of Professional of the Principal Investigators launched The Spirituals during the 2014 CE 21 Database, a resource to the management of female Education and Director of hair loss, the treatment of Teacher Education at Stillman National Conferences. This that provides searchable experience has inspired Belle information of over 1,600 pigmented disorders and is College. She was instrumental also a prolific contributor to in the effort to secure an $8 Florentia to work more tracks from recordings of fervently to ensure that spirituals written for the dermatology literature. She million grant for Tennessee’s has co-edited a textbook on Race to the Top application. students have access to quality solo voice. As a part of The S.T.E.M. programs for learning Art of the Negro Spiritual, Treatment of Skin of Color, has The funding supported a written 18 textbook chapters statewide consortium of teacher that ultimately impact their it carries on the efforts to future endeavors. She began discover and share information and more than 45 peer- preparation programs which reviewed articles for academic focused on improving K-8 her science-teaching career as about this music’s potential a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer role in developing a singer’s journals. She has made more mathematics learning. Belle than 160 presentations, Millett is also an author and in Botswana, Southern Africa. repertoire. The project’s goal She also taught in the Prince is the eventual publication including presentations in has a chapter titled, Cultivating Australia, Brazil, Canada, the a Spirit of Joy, featured in George’s County Public of a discography of Spiritual Schools in Maryland, in a art songs. The primary--but Czech Republic, Germany, Under the Magnolia Tree, India, Portugal, South Africa, by Richard Ashe. She serves College Preparatory School, far from exclusive--audience The Edmund Burke School for The Spirituals Database is United Kingdom, and many on the following boards: others. Belle Callender has Temporary Emergency Services before joining The Howard the voice student and coach/ University Middle School. teacher who are looking for been a Visiting Professor at of Tuscaloosa, AL; Big Brother many dermatology programs, Big Sister of West Alabama; Spires has been teaching for these recorded resources. All more than twenty years. too often, recordings may be including the Mayo Clinic, Allocation Committee for the first exposure a vocalist Brown University, Boston United Way of West Alabama; or vocal instructor has to the University, Tufts University, and Nordstrom Advisory Panel. Lisa LunsforD ’85 Spiritual. That person, likely The State University of New fLorentia sPires ’85 Belle Lunsford is the CEO unfamiliar with the genre and York, University of Maryland Belle Spires is a Science, and co-founder of Global with the singers who have and the Henry Ford Health Technology, Engineering, Strategic Solutions LLC (GS3 recorded these art songs, can System. She has conducted and Mathematics (STEM) Educator Global) which was a finalist use The Spirituals Database to participated in over 40 research at Howard University Middle for the Michigan Supplier find these recorded resources studies and clinical trials for School of Mathematics and Development Council’s

32 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE 2014 Minority Supplier of of the police department, Belle Belle McCray won a Ford the Democratic Republic of the Year Award in Detroit, Wise is known not only for Foundation Post-doctoral the Congo, Burma, Central Michigan. GS3 Global is a her character, integrity and Fellowship at the University America and Syria. comprehensive supply chain work in law enforcement, but of Laval in Quebec City, management company she also for her singing talent. where she directed a study Jen-ai chiLDress ’94 co-founded in 2010. The She is frequently asked to on the accessibility needs An elementary school teacher, award recognizes outstanding perform at city functions, of low-income women, Belle Childress is the author achievements among Minority from mayoral inaugurations to primarily dependent on of two books, London Giselle Business Enterprises (MBE’s) in award ceremonies to memorial public transportation. From Hall presents My Beautiful business growth, development services. She has performed at June 2006 – September Mommy and Kids Wear Pink and operations. GS3 Global athletic games and sang once 2007, she directed a large Too which was inspired by a provides efficient, focused, for President Barack Obama interdisciplinary research and four-year old little girl whose successful management of when he visited Tampa. During outreach project, funded by mother is battling breast materials, manufacturing, her years with Tampa police, the University of Rhode Island cancer. Both books were assembly, and distribution for she has obtained experience in Transportation Center, that written to help other children companies - large and small, almost every unit, including addressed the activity and to sort out their feelings and domestic and international. patrol, homicide and gangs. travel patterns of low-income learn how to cope with this In addition to leading GS3 Currently, she works as a teenagers in Providence, RI. deadly disease. The books will Global, Lunsford is also the detective in the department’s Belle McCray has written serve as a catalyst to jump vice president of sales and Professional Standards Bureau, several articles and papers start a non-profit organization marketing for Deshler Group, investigating complaints addressing perceptions of that will assist the needs of GS3 Global’s parent company, against officers and reviewing violence and the use of space children whose parent(s) are and executive partner and their use of force. Her sister, by urban youth, developing battling cancer and will give co-founder of I Thine LLC, stephanie Cambridge methodology to address scholarships to students at a software development Mardis ’00 was recently the transportation needs of historically black colleges and company. As president of I promoted to Lieutenant disadvantaged populations, and universities whose parents have Thine LLC, she developed an with the Greensboro Police analyzing the effects of culture had breast cancer. Childress’ effective intermodal container Department. on healthcare access. In mother and her Bennett sister management system and addition, she has served on the Melody Hall ’94 were both created a diversity monitoring Board of Trustees at Bennett diagnosed with cancer in system to track spending by 1990’s College, Greensboro, NC, 2006. Unfortunately, she lost OEM’s and suppliers. Her for nine years and received her mother in 2010 but Hall experience includes a decade Dr. taLia mccray ’90 the 2000 Bennett College’s continues to fight with stage as a research and product Belle McCray was selected Outstanding Young Achiever 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. development engineer at Ford as a Fulbright Scholar in the Award. Every year, Childress and Motor Company where her first United Kingdom a Visiting her Bennett sisters walk for project was the 1988 Mustang. Professor at Glasglow Urban miJi BeLL, ’92 the Susan G. Komen Breast Lab for 2012-2013. Belle cray Belle Bell is Director Cancer Walk and raise money sonJa camBriDge wise ’89 is an Assistant Professor in for Communications at for the group they created - Belle Wise currently serves as a the Community and Regional Lutheran Immigration Melody’s Divas. The goal for Homicide Detective in Tampa, Planning Program at the and Refugee Service in this group is to foster a legacy Florida. She is a member of the University of Texas at Austin, Baltimore, Maryland. Making for Melody’s now five year Honor Guard, past president specializing in transportation a difference in the world old daughter, Lauren Hall. of the Association of Black planning for the transportation has always been a focus of It is a fun-filled weekend to Law Enforcement Officers - disadvantaged population. this group. Bell currently honor their Bennett sister. Tampa Chapter and was the She received her Ph.D. from leads the communications More information about first African-American female the University of Michigan efforts for the second largest this project can be found Robbery Detective in Tampa. in the Urban Technological refugee resettlement agency at www.crowdrise.com/ In her spare time, she is the and Environmental Planning in the United States. There, childrenandcancer or visit lead vocalist for the local jazz Program. During her time she is striving to make a http://musabooksllc.wix.com/ ensemble “Ladyfingers.” Her as a graduate student, she difference as the organization kidswearpinktoo. sophomore CD project “It Is was an Eisenhower and Eno contributes to the ongoing What It Is” debuted in 2012. Fellow. Her dissertation national conversation around tammi mccaLL ’94 Sonja is also the co-founder work modeled prenatal care immigration policy, and Better known in Los Angeles of a theatrical production and transportation access heightens awareness of the as “Tammi Mac,” Belle McCall company named Encore! challenges in rural South plight of refugees from all has produced a one woman Productions. A16-year veteran Africa. In September of 2003, corners of the globe including show, “Bag Lady,” which

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 33 premiered in Hollywood, LLC in Louisville, KY which have ranged from the Atlanta agency. Belle Githaraa also is California in 2014. During employs more than 50 Office of Cultural Affairs, the founder and president of the second weekend, the show therapists and case managers. FunkJazz Kafe’s Arts & Music PENN Training Consultants included a Bennett Night. Her team serves the public Festival, The Atlanta Ballet, which provides tailored one- She has also created broadcast school system in Jefferson Woodridge Productions for on-one development and intern opportunities for County and children who are Sony Pictures Television and management consultation Bennett students in the Los at risk of hospitalization or New Remote Productions, sessions to individual clients Angeles area. If it had not been incarceration. She is an author Inc. for MTV Networks. from a variety of fields. for being terminated from her of several published books and, She was given the nickname job at an urban adult radio is a licensed therapist. “the research renegade” by micheLLe huff ’97 program in Birmingham, her colleagues because of Belle Huff is the founder Alabama, Belle McCall may Lashena sheffieLD smith ’95 her ability to swiftly locate of Huff Entertainment, a not have found the courage to Belle Smith has made her mark treasures and information. boutique firm that produces pursue her dream to become in the world. She appeared She credits the ability to events, public relations and an actress. Today she hosts the as a guest on the Worldwide garner quick results (under marketing campaigns with “Mac and Amiche Afternoon Radio Show to discuss her pressure) to her decade-plus unparalleled quality and Show” on Stevie Wonder’s best-selling book, “Spiritual career/training in the arts and service. Since 1999, Belle Huff radio station 102.3 KJLH Morsels That Edify Your Soul.” entertainment business where has provided New York, Los FM which is rated number She has participated in the “Make It Happen…Yesterday” Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, one in the African American CBGF - Congressional Black was a daily mantra. She has Atlanta and London with community. She also hosts one Caucus Annual Conference, also received recognition as some of the most revered of the top-rated adult urban The Author’s Pavilion and has one of the “Top 25 Most events, launch parties, strategic evening urban night radio started her own publishing Influential Woman in Atlanta” marketing plans and public shows in the city. McCall has company, Jeremiah Publishing by Rolling Out Urbanstyle relations services. HUFF appeared in August Wilson’s LLC (JeremiahPublishing. Weekly. team has a history of ground “The Piano Lesson, on com). She hosted a book breaking success by turning Lifetime’s “Strong Medicine,” signing at Bennett College and vicki rose merritt ’96 event ideas into masterful the Don B. Welch productions hosted a weekly radio show Founder of Teacher Paradigm, productions, building and of “Idella’s Soul Shack” and “Spiritual Morsels That Will LLC, Belle Merritt has been executing strategic marketing “The Bachelorette Party.” Edify Your Soul with Lashena in public education since and public relations plans She can also be seen in over Smith” which debuted in 1996 serving as a teacher, and providing concierge and a dozen national television October 2013. principal and now founder premier services to companies commercials from Verizon to of Teacher Paradigm, LLC. and celebrities, the. Current Capital One and she owns Jennifer farris ’96 Teacher Paradigm is a web and past clients include: an extensive list of voiceover Belle Farris served as a location based teacher portal for American Black Film Festival, work which includes AARP, teachers to connect from Kevin Liles, Ashanti, Tamia, Baskin Robbins, State Farm, scout for two major television network shows: BET’s Being across the country to share Ford Motor Company, Style Union Bank and McDonald’s ideas, resources and grow as Week Jamaica, Casio, BET to name a few. This well- Mary Jane and NBC’s Constantine and has scouted professionals. Networks, Vital Marketing, versed talented, writer, Cove Lounge NYC, Imani producer, on-air personality for other films and television series. Farris transitioned arDena n. githara ’97 Music Group, K.Milele and actress produce radio and Clothing, Algebra, Eric television commercials under from entertainment public Belle Githara has been relations back into film and appointed to the Women’s Roberson and the Hip Hop her production company, Hall of Fame. MACJACK. television which was the basis Law Center in Maryland as of her mass communications a member of the board of some of huff’s key campaigns and events studies while at Bennett. A Directors. With more than DeirDre Pecchioni have been: culture enthusiast since the 10 years of distinguished • DKNY Jeans Department Opening in New York City cummings ’95 1990’s, she has educated experience in the area • Usher’s “Confessions” Appearances in NY and Belle Cummings is the audiences about nationally- of community building Los Angeles daughter of Andrea Mast recognized creative arts projects and youth engagement/ • BET Awards 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 • American Black Film Festival 2012, 2013, 2014 Pecchioni ’66 and sister of surrounding music, public development, Belle Githara • Soul Train Music Awards 2011, 2012 Amanda Pecchioni 97 (a art, dance, visual art, film, is touted as a great asset to • Oceanus Couture Watch Launch for Casio licensed attorney). A former and television through street the Women’s Law Center as Electronics Miss Bennett College, she is an promotions, direct marketing, they advocate for women and • FiFi Awards Celebrity Procurement • b Michael Couture Fashion Show during Spring active leader in her community publicity, journalism, broadcast children in Maryland. She NYC Fashion Week and is the President and CEO production, and most recently, currently serves as a Senior • Museum for African Art Fundraising Gala and of Cummings Consulting, content creation. Her clients Grants Manager for a Federal Silent Auction

34 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE • Alicia Keys Half-Time Performance at the US Respiratory Biology and scholarship at Bennett College Alzheimer’s Disease (AAAD) ArmycAmerican Bowl Toxicology Laboratory at in her name. Research Study at North • Neptunes’ Album Release Event in NY (Production) North Carolina A&T State Carolina A&T State University • Style Week Jamaica 2008 University. Dr. keisha Brown ’98 is a genetic research study that • Hip Hop Hall of Fame Foundation Belle Brown graduated combines both research and • Black Girls Rock Awards 2010, 2011 outreach to better understand • Delicious Curves by MUDD Jeans In-Store Events Dr. tia smith ’97 from Bennett College with and PR Campaign Belle Smith is an assistant a bachelor of science degree why African Americans suffer • Lexus Launch Events in Chicago PR Campaign professor and department head in biology. She attended the disproportionately from of the Mass Communication University of North Carolina Alzheimer’s Disease and to educate the community about Dr. Jenora turner Broadcast Sequence at Xavier at Chapel Hill Dentistry and University of Louisiana. She earned her Doctor of Dental the effects of this devastating waterman ’97 earned her graduate degrees Surgery degree in 2002. At disease. An assistant professor of at Ohio University’s Scripps UNC, she served as president Functional Genomics in College of Communication. of the Student National Dental starr aLLen-Pettaway ’99 the Department of Animal Her research interests focuses Association. In addition, Belle Allen-Pettaway is the Sciences at North Carolina on intersections of gender, she was one of 10 students founder of “Sisters Standing Agricultural and Technical media and sexual culture. selected to travel to Mexico Strong Together” in Detroit, State University, Belle Dr. Smith has lived and to treat needy children in the Michigan. The program Waterman made a key worked in diverse cultural Neustros Pequenost Hermanos provides mentorship/ discovery in the treatment of and learning environments in orphanage. Upon graduation, sponsorship services, chronic obstructive pulmonary the United States, Zimbabwe, she was given the prestigious therapeutic services, training, disease (COPD) among Swaziland, Brazil and Dr. Henry Zaytoun Award that education, support groups agricultural workers. COPD is Trinidad and Tobago giving is presented to a graduating for women confronted with a major cause of death in the her first-hand knowledge student who exemplified everyday life struggles. These United States, most typically of the sensitive nature and superior professional and challenges can range from, but found among smokers. A less challenges associated with ethical demeanor. In 2003, are not limited to; parenting studied aspect of the disease issues of media, diversity and she completed a general issues, substance abuse, is the 7% of its United States inclusiveness. Dr. Smith’s first practice residency program at domestic violence, finances and victims who are agricultural book, Contradictions in A the Veterans Affairs Medical any other barriers that may be workers. They can develop Hip-Hop World: An Auto- Center in Washington, DC. hindering their personal and COPD as a result of long-term ethnography of Black Women’s Presently, Dr. Brown resides professional success. “Sisters exposure to animal production Lived Experiences comprises in Raleigh, NC where she has Standing Strong Together” facilities containing dust that of narratives of black women her own private dental office earnestly works to ensure contributes to respiratory about their experiences as treating children and adults. that all women have the diseases. Her first key finding hip-hop fans and how they She also serves as president tools to win. Its mission is to came from comparing pigs negotiate identity and sexuality of the Raleigh Chapter of the provide women in the Detroit raised indoors with those in a culture that oftentimes Bennett National Alumnae Metropolitan area, nationally raised outdoors. Pigs aren’t pushes them to the margins. Association. and globally an opportunity to as severely affected by the be successful with the necessary dust as humans are, but her Letresa swearingen takiyah starks ’98 support and guidance in work demonstrated that In the Department of Biology order to make their dreams their respiratory systems are wiLLiams ’97 at North Carolina A&T State a reality. As a Detroit native, uniquely adapted to their Belle Williams is the CEO of University, Belle Starks ’98 she also serves as the Branch housing type. As a result of Infinity Consulting Group, was one of the guest panelists Director for Bethany Christian her work, she is currently a LLC. Glitz & Glam Jewelry in honor of a National Services in Madison Heights, recipient of a professional by LJ-a division of Infinity Alzheimer’s Month program. Michigan. For nearly 15 years, development honor for junior Consulting Group. She The event was hosted by the Belle Allen-Pettaway has had faculty members funded creates custom jewelry for International Civil Rights varied experiences with AIDS through the Clinical and women, men, children, and Museum in Greensboro, North Service Organizations (ASO), Translational Science Awards organizations. Williams has Carolina. Takiyah is the clinical delinquency cases, therapeutic (CTSA) program of the grown her company through research coordinator for the foster care treatment, substance National Institutes of Health making positive impacts to program at North Carolina abuse treatment, the homeless, which will help to advance her the community. She has A&T State University and and general health care. Starr research. Belle Waterman will incorporated Give-Back has been featured in the local has executive leadership receive funding and mentored GLAM – scholarships, newspaper, the Greensboro experience, having served as training. In addition, she donations and mentorship. News and Record for her the chief operations officer is also the director of the Williams also has a book efforts. The African American for a federally qualified

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 35 health center in the Northern investigator, tactical special appointment, she served as complete a senior project and Macomb/St. Clair County enforcement team member, the Embassy Nassau’s Public she chose to design a magazine area. vice, internal affairs and trainer. Affairs Officer. While working for young African American In November of 2015, she in the Public Affairs Section women. However, during her hoPe ingLehart ’99 was promoted to the rank (PAS), she led a dynamic team research of the magazine market Belle Inglehart will be featured of Lieutenant being the first that whose goal was to engage she realized that there were in Danielle Beverly’s Old South African-American female to and educate Bahamians on limited reading options for which premiered on February receive this distinction in her the work and priorities of the these women. Simultaneously, 2nd on the World Channel. A division. Stephanie’s list of United States government. Jennings saw that while the young fifth generation funeral awards includes Rookie of During her tenure, Brown Internet was booming, there director, Hope’s character is the Year, 2004, Officer of the built on the Embassy’s strong were no websites that related fighting to preserve what is Month - March and April 2005, and vibrant friendship with to young African American left of her African-American Outstanding Public Servant the people of The Bahamas women, either. As soon as she neighborhood and her mother’s Award by the Greensboro through the promotion of began watching the app market, home. In an effort to save it Jaycees, Commendations, academic, cultural, sports, she knew that the future of from further encroachment, 2011 and 2012 and Officer of and professional exchanges, her project was in a mobile she organizes community the Month 2014. She is also as well as public-private app. That road has led Belle members to obtain official involved in the community partnerships. Brown joined Jennings to be the CEO of historical designation for her with Junior Achievement the U.S. diplomatic corps in SOCIALGrlz LLC; a mobile neighborhood, and community of Greensboro, the African 2003 and has served as a media app designed for young girls gardener Karen Witten plants American Male Initiative, relations officer at the Foreign aged 13 to 17 that specifically seeds and cultivates a safe space Wheels for Hope; Feed the Press Center in New York City, highlight African American for community interaction. Hungry and the American under President Obama at the women across multiple sectors The setting is one of the Red Cross. Belle Mardis is a White House Situation Room, like STEM, finance, and beauty. oldest, predominantly black highly sought after speaker and at the State Department’s The first of its kind, the app’s neighborhoods in Georgia. for New Orientation Week Operations Center where she mission is to provide positive The film introduces a young at Bennett College and her provided 24-hour support images and stories that young member of the Fraternity sister; sonja Cambridge Wise to former Secretaries of State girls can relate to, as well as a who struggles to convey his ’89 is a Homicide Detective Condoleezza Rice and Hillary platform for their own voices to historical take on the Civil with the Tampa, Florida Police Clinton. Neda has also served be heard. Jennings has geared War, the institution of slavery, Department. overseas at the U.S. Embassies SocialGrlz to operate on a and the symbolism behind in Bogotá, Colombia and 3 ’D’ vision: doers, donors, the Confederate Flag. By Dr. JaneLL n. catLin ’00 Santo Domingo, Dominican and door openers. She has the close of the film, we see Belle Catlin has recently joined Republic and has completed obtained fantastic partnerships KA members working in Teach for All as the Director of temporary assignments in with the BET Foundation, the garden alongside African the STEM Initiative (Science, Mumbai, India and Santiago, Girl Scouts of America and American community elders, Technology, Engineering, and Chile. Prior to joining the the White House. Along with and tutoring black children Mathematics). In this role, U.S. diplomatic corps, Brown an extensive team, Jennings in math and English in the she will lead the strategy and worked briefly in the office of leads SOCIALgrlzLLC with Baptist church. As Belle vision for STEM education in Senator John Edwards at the the assistance of some Bennett Inglehart explains in the film, supporting nearly 40 different Department of State African sisters, Natalie Jordan ’04 who “... [A]anywhere you live, you international education Affairs Bureau/Office of serves as the communication have to become a stakeholder; partners around the world. Public Diplomacy. In 2006, director and neda Brown if not, then you are not part of She is extremely passionate Brown and her sister co- ’01 is the site expert. Among the community.” about improving global P-20 founded Brownskin Apparel her other accomplishments, STEM education, and has been LLC, a company designed to Belle Jennings was also one awarded for her scholarship by create and enhance positive of the recipient of the White 2000’s the National Association for self-images for people of House “Champion of Change” Research in Science Teaching color and she also assists her Award for her work. For more stePhanie camBriDge (NARST), and her alma mater, Bennett sister, Marissa Jenkins information about SOCIALgrlz, Bennett College. ’04 as the site expert for please visit http://socialgrlz. marDis ’00 SOCIALgrlzLLC. com/. Belle Mardis joined the neDa Brown ’01 Greensboro Police Department nataLie renee Parker ’01 in March of 2002 and has Belle Brown is acting deputy marissa Jennings ’03 chief of mission for the United During her senior year As an entrepreneur and small steadily moved up in the business owner, Belle Parker ranks serving as a criminal States Embassy Nassau, at Bennett College, Belle Bahamas and prior to this Jennings was required to leads five Talents Consulting

36 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE LLC to develop leaders and her film directing/writing sharnikya howarD ’05 has produced a three-hour strategic thinkers. Since debut in Black Girl in Paris Belle Howard is the founder webcast on election night, 2010, Parker has worked on Kickstarter. She used this of The Belle Connection, a coordinating coverage and with church leaders in film as her thesis which starred mentoring program for young executing an online newscast developing organizational Tracey Heggins and Zaraah ladies in middle school which featuring eight analysts, systems and training Abrahams and was filmed by focuses on STEM, self-esteem, four anchors and up to ten programs to strengthen award-winning director of and service. She serves on reporters with live up-to-the Christian discipleship photography, Shlomo Godder. the board of directors for minute coverage. Prior to and stronger relationships After filming in 2012 and two local non-profits and moving to Atlanta, she worked between church pastors touring the festival circuit in recently launched the iEvolve at Fox Carolina in Greenville, and members. Equipped 2013, winning the American program for single mothers South Carolina for three years with more than a decade Black Film Festival’s Short Film in underserved communities and was nominated for two and a half of professional Award, the twenty-minute where she provides life- skills/ Southeastern Regional Emmy experience working with major movie is was available to view training workshops. Earlier Awards and was the recipient Fortune 500 companies in on HBOGo. this year, her company, of the South Carolina the government defense and Life Abundantly Coaching Associated Press Award for transportation industries, cPt (us army) sharon partnered with Empowerment “Best Newscast” in 2011. Belle Parker has acquired a fryar height ’05 Station and the DC Mayor’s wealth of proven knowledge, Office on Returning Citizen Lori sherman ’07 skills and abilities in human Out of 2,100 applicants Belle Affairs (ORCA) to provide Belle Sherman, a native of resource management and Height is a part of the 60 a vision and purpose Evansville Indiana, is running organizational effectiveness. men and women that make workshop to returning female for the Democrat nomination Her expertise in coaching, up the 2015 Class of Tillman citizens. She is a recipient for the Indian House in teambuilding, and training Scholars. As a Tillman Scholar, of the Women of Color in District 77. If elected, she design have aided her in the the newly selected class will Technology (WOC) - All Star will be the first African- quest. She currently serves receive over $1.7 million in Award, an award reserved for American woman to serve as senior human Resources scholarships to pursue their accomplished women of color as State Representative in Business Partner at America’s higher education and continue at an advanced stage of their District 77. After graduating Railroad, Amtrak. their service in the fields careers that have demonstrated from Bennett College with of medicine, law, business, excellence in the workplace a degree in interdisciplinary kianDra Parks ’04 government, education, and in their communities. studies, Belle Sherman was It was in 2000 when Belle technology and the arts. As a finalist for the Women admitted to a number of top- Parks had a chance encounter Belle Height plans to obtain in Technology (WIT)-Rising tier law schools, but enrolled with famed filmmaker Spike a doctorate degree in Higher Star Award, Belle Howard has at Indiana University’s Lee, unknowingly setting Education Administration been recognized for not only Maurer School of Law in herself on track as a future with a career goal of ultimately succeeding in her career but Bloomington. She is one filmmaker. At the time, she leading a college or university for also mentoring the next of five African-American had just read “Black Girl in as its President or Chancellor. generation of leaders. When attorneys currently practicing Paris,” the debut novel by She is currently enrolled in asked why she spends so in Evansville. She works for writer Shay Youngblood, and the doctorate program at much of her time serving the the Indiana Department of had been thinking of creating the University of Alabama. community, Howard’s response Child Services. a film version of the story. With service in the military is “I am the best me when I am preparing her for management When she spotted Lee after serving others.” carmen smith ’11, Jayne the Morehouse Homecoming of diverse population, Height plans to serve as a catalyst waLton ’11, Briana Barner football game, she went up to chaunDra Luckett ’06 him and told him about her for positive global change ’11, evette Brown ’11 anD in the United States and Belle Luckett is the Executive film idea. She asked for his myeisha essex ’11 guidance and he encouraged abroad. While serving others Producer of Fox 5/WAGA - These sister-friends teamed her to apply to the Tisch and the community through TV, Atlanta, Georgia’s weekend up to produce an online School of the Arts at New academic preparedness, Belle newscast where she leads a publication named Nice York University. Now, many Height plans to make an team of more than 25 people Entertaining Magazine. Nice years after asking Lee for impact through her career and each Saturday and Sunday. In Entertaining Magazine is the advice Kiandra’s debut short continued service by serving as addition, Luckett edits and home entertainment guide film, “Black Girl in Paris,” an academic mentor to junior approves stories covered in for women who value their was picked up by HBO and officers and noncommissioned the newscasts, on social media real-life social network. The Lee became her adviser while officers. channels and on their website. content is centered on the in graduate school. She had For the past three years, she elements of entertaining –

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 37 food, music, decor and hosting as well as inspiration from pop culture celebrities, political influencers and professional event planners. Visit http:// www.niceentertaining.com and subscribe today! timogi Jackson ’11 Belle Jackson is a nationally sought after speaker, educator, author, and minister. She hosts The Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel and Little Theater two public access television shows, a YouTube channel, This year, Bennettelebrating Odis Clay Poundstonethe of Barge Chapel could no and weekly Empowerment Call. Jackson travels delivering College will celebrate Atlanta, Georgia, who also longer accommodate the keynotes, presenting at the 75th year since the designed Ethel Black Hall, members of the Bennett academic conferences, and construction of the Annie 75thAnnie Merner Anniversary: Pfeiffer Hall, College Community. preaching. As an adjunct faculty Merner Pfeiffer Chapel Thomas Holgate Library The new chapel provided member teaching an all-male and Little Theater. The and Carrie Barge Hall. superb facilities for class and coordinator of a men’s buildings were completed religious services as well as program through her research in 1941, replacing the Having been established a separate theater that was became the first woman to Carrie Barge Chapel that under the auspices of constructed as part of the present at the Minority Male was torn down in 1926. the Methodist Episcopal building. Leadership Institute. She is author of Activation Required; Church, Bennett College Reconnecting to Your Purpose, The Chapel and Little continues to maintain a The Chapel and Theater Pack Light! Packing With Your Theater was one of close relationship with the building sits at the head Purpose in Mind. several building at United Methodist Church. of the historic quadrangle. Bennett College whose Attendance at Chapel is In many respects it is the swarD tonDoneh ’13 construction was funded and has always been a spiritual heart of campus Belle Tondoneh serves as the through a donation from requirement. With the and certainly is the visual Traveling Chief of Staff to Henry and Annie Merner growth of Bennett College anchor of the quadrangle. Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Pfeiffer. The architect was in the 1930’s the Carrie This prominent location Bowser, who governs a city of gives the building an 660,000 residents. In her role, exceedingly public presence Belle Tondoneh is responsible placing it in the forefront for ensuring the Mayor is of the public’s perception of fully briefed and prepared for every meeting and event she the campus as well as in the attends. Sward accompanies memories of the students, the Mayor for internal and faculty and staff of Bennett external engagements, serving College. as a liaison to members of the Mayor’s leadership team The story told by The and key external stakeholders. Chapel and Little Theater Prior to joining the Bowser begins with David Dallas Administration, Belle Tondoneh Jones, the first president was the schedule coordinator of Bennett College for for then Mayor-Elect Bowser’s Transitional team. She also Women, whose vision currently serves as a Hometown for the institution began Mentor for the College Success a journey of academic Foundation. Belle Tondoneh is growth, excellence and an active member Alpha Kappa national recognition for Alpha Sorority, Inc. Bennett College.

38 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE Black Girl Magic

By Marissa Jennings, ’03

AS I START TO WRITE, I We started our day by cannot stop thinking about meeting Valerie Jarrett, senior my grandmother, Odessa advisor to the president. She McClary, a journalist. When I knew each of our stories and would call her, she would greet was excited to meet us. When me with her famous words, she shook my hand, she “Marissa, what’s the headline?” asked, “Now is it SOCIAL If she were still alive, I am sure Gurlz or SOCIALgrlz?” I I would say, BLACK GIRL explained that it was indeed MAGIC IS REAL! SOCIALgrlz. She said she didn’t want anyone to get Over the last few weeks, the it wrong, so she was going world has watched black girl to say “SOCIAL G-R-L-Z” magic move in ways that no when she introduced me. We one could imagine. From laughed about that, and then Serena Williams playing her she added, “our girls need heart out at the U.S. Open; you.” Viola Davis, Regina King and Uzo Aduba winning Emmy All I could think was “Is this Awards; President Obama really happening?” I shared identifying the importance my story about SOCIALgrlz, godmother and my Sister to NBC, NBC.com and MTV of African-American women mentorship, leadership and President Dr. Johnetta seemed unreal. Everything at the Congressional Black the importance of positive B. Cole in attendance to my former professor, Dr. Caucus dinner to me, Marissa imagery in the media witness this day. Dr. Cole is Charmaine McKissick- Jennings, receiving an award Our dialogue was fun and the reason I moved to D.C. Melton, taught me kicked into as a White House Champion educational. after my graduation from gear. My experience at the of Change for Young Women Bennett College for Women. White House was amazing, Empowering Communities. To add to the excitement of I remember that in my humbling and one I don’t think It’s hard to imagine that my the day, I had the opportunity senior year of college, I told I could have prayed for. senior college project would to meet Megan Smith, the her “everyone says I need to land me a nomination and an chief technology officer of know you, but you need to I am extremely excited to be award at the White House. the United States. Her words know me. … I am going to nominated and then honored were inspiring. She said that run something one day.” And at the White House for I am no stranger to the the future was being written now, here I am, the CEO of a something I truly believe in White House, however it was in CODE. It was further small tech start-up. – African-American girls not definitely a new experience justification that this app is being overlooked in modern to be honored in the highest needed. Once the program concluded, technology. building of power. I had I was whisked away for press the pleasure of meeting 10 This day was probably one of interviews. You would think As the days speed by, I wanted dynamic women who are the best days of my life! I hit the jackpot just being to make sure I connect to the changing their communities It would be remiss of me to honored at the White House, very people who have been through technology, music, not mention that I had the but to be escorted to the press supportive of this process. mentorship and programs for honor of being nominated area was the best ever! This the disabled. These women by Susan Taylor, the former was not only thrilling and Hold on tight because we are are not only phenomenal, but editor-in-chief of Essence exciting, but you must not just getting started. each and every one inspired magazine. I was further forget I am a communications me! honored to have my mother, major! Giving live interviews #BLACKGIRLMAGIC, is real!

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 39 MISS BENNETT COLLEGE SERVES IN MANY ROLES AS SHE PURSUES HER DEGREE

40 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE This year, Kee’Aera Hood became had been inducted into the Alpha During her reign, her goal as queen one of the busiest students at Bennett Lamba Delta Honor Society. is to raise awareness for community College. She is a full-time student, service and community involvement. member of multiple extra-curricular However, after much encouragement Near the end of her reign, she wants activities and a mother. In addition from former queens, contemplation, to establish a scholarship to encourage to those roles, she now serves as Miss and the desire to be a voice for her all women, regardless of their past, to Bennett College for the 2015-2016 Bennett sisters, Hood soon declared return to school to better themselves academic year. that she would run for the title. She and to help those who will come says, “I stood up for myself and said behind them. Hood, a native of Indian Trail, North yes this is what I want and this is what Carolina says she never thought about I am going to be and no matter what “When I leave Bennett College I want running for Miss Bennett. people may say or do I am going to to leave behind a legacy and that legacy conquer it.” will be an understanding that no “I thought it wasn’t for me,” said matter where you come from or where Hood, “I didn’t want to be on a high Since attaining the title she has a new you’ve been, greatness is coming, but it pedestal, I just wanted to make a understanding of what she means to will come only if you seek God first in difference.” Bennett’s campus and the Greensboro everything you do,” she said. community. “I thought I was just She was already engaged in campus another student leader. I really didn’t In May, Hood will be receiving a life. She was a student ambassador understand the impact I have on bachelor’s degrees in biology. She plans and a member of the Biology Club, campus and off campus. “ to enroll in medical school with hopes Southern Belles, Queens Association, of one day becoming an OB/GYN. Student Christian Fellowship, North Hood sees her son Jaylin Harrell as Carolina Louis Stokes Alliance for both a blessing and motivation when Ms. Hood is the daughter of Pastor Minority Participation and Honors she finds herself in the midst of an Robert and Lady Lora Capters. Club. Along with her campus obstacle. “He is a gift from God and involvement, Hood maintained her without him I would not be pushing standing on the Honor’s and Dean’s myself every day.” lists since her freshwoman year and

Miss Bennett College Kee’Aera Hood is shown with her son, Jaylin Harrell, Miss Bennett College Kee’Aera Hood walks down the aisle, with her crown, who escorted her down the aisle during her coronation ceremony. during the coronation ceremony.

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 41 Internships and Study Abroad Experiences Prepare Students for Careers and Life u By Chelsea Moore, Junior Journalism Major

lEavEn dera Toye’s favorite quote is “The Aonly thing distinctly different about me is that I am not afraid to die on a treadmill. I will not be outworked period.” This quote by Will Smith inspires Toye mostly because she has major aspirations she plans to fulfill in her life and she is not afraid to work hard in order to do so.

“I have major goals and dreams,” said Toye. “I can not be outworked, this is my passion.”

Toye, a senior Journalism major from TOyE Washington DC., has participated in This spring she will be conducting several internships since her freshwoman research with a focus on costal ecology, year such as: Save The Arts Foundation, natural resource management, and FOX 5 News in Washington DC, and sustainable develop in Zanzibar, DaniEl Cumulus Media: DC’s 107.3 radio Tanzania with the School for station. She is currently interning with International Training. wants to create and manage a non- FOX 8 News in High Point, NC. governmental organization that acts as After she graduates from Bennett an ombudsman between indigenous Her dream is to become a television College, Leaven plans to pursue and underrepresented communities producer with hopes of one day opening a master of the arts in sustainable encouraging self-sufficiency. Her up a non-profit program assisting young development: Advocacy, Leadership current project in Greensboro is the women who desire to have a career in and Social Change with a specialization establishment of SanKofa Sprouts. the media industry. in social innovation and management Sankofa is a word in the Akan language at the SIT Graduate Institute in of Ghana that translates as “reach back She has received awards such as Honors Brattleboro, Vermont. Eventually, she and get it.” & Dean’s List, Outstanding Journalism wants to earn her Ph.D. in community and Media Studies Student Award and sustainability with a specialization at “We plan to address the problems The Belle Ringer Scholarship presented Michigan State University where she of refugee unemployment, food by Dr. Sybil Wilkes of the Tom Joyner participated in the summer Research deserts, food biodiversity and noon- Morning Show. Opportunities Program in the summers communicable diseases in Guillford of 2014 and 2015. County,” said Leavens. livia Leaven is in her junior at OBennett College and was named The biology major and international According to Leaven, Guilford County the Robert Kantor Scholar. She is affairs minor, wants to help indigenious houses the largest and most diverse participating in the SIT (School for groups grow healthy crops that will group of refugees in the state of North International Training) Study Abroad ultimately result in reduced incidents of Carolina. According to the center for Program in Tanzania this semester. diabetes and high blood pressure. She New North Carolinians, Guilford

42 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE the rate of non-communicable diseases While at Colorado State University such as diabetes, hypertension, and high she worked on a project titled “Is blood pressure. Filamin C-a required for cardiac development.” Under the direction of “SIT is like a beacon of light that directs Dr. Deborah Garrity, she used zebra fish me to my goals,” said Leaven. as an animal model to study the cause of dilated cardiomyopathy, chronic disease e’Yona Barton is a senior biology of the heart muscle. Kmajor from Warner Robins, Georgia. This past summer Ke’Yona Collaborators at The University of Barton conducted research in the Colorado Denver School of Medicine Biology Debarment of Northeastern noticed that many families are suffering University in Boston, Massachusetts. from the reoccurrence of heart disease The research dealt with regeneration and her research will help society gain and circadian rhythms. Her model a deeper understanding as to why this organism was the axolotl, a type disease keeps reoccurring in certain BarTOn of newt. These organisms have the families. amazing and very effective ability to County becomes home for an average regenerate almost any body part, even During her internship, she increased of approximately 700 new refugees per organs and their spinal cord. her competency in the areas of year. developmental genetics, molecular This research explored how circadian biology and fluorescent and “Unfortunately, refugees are entering rhythms could affect their regenerative histochemical imaging techniques. the city of Greensboro where the capabilities. She particularly looked unemployment rate was 5.1 percent as at if she disrupted their sleep wake “Expanding my knowledge through of April 2015,” said Leaven. cycles how that affected their ability to active learning was an eye opening regenerate their tails. Barton says the his experience that has given me the “With a growing population, limited research was very intriguing and allowed confidence to pursue a graduate jobs, and limited natural resources, her to gain insight into regenerative degree,” said Daniel. Participating it is vital that jobs are created and medicine, while also helping to in undergraduate internships have sustainable development initiatives are contribute to the field of regenerative aided me tremendously in preparing implemented within the city.” medicine. for graduate studies and the workforce in general. I am proud to say Bennett A food desert is defined as a residential After Bennett College Barton plans to College gave me the great foundation area where at least one-third of its work as a pharmacy technician for a I needed to do well while learning new residents live more than a mile from year and prepare to take the medical things through working in labs at larger a grocery store. According to Leaven, college admission test. She also plans research intensive institutions . It was a there are currently 17 food deserts to shadow a local pediatrician with truly eye opening experience to see how in Greensboro, and a total of 24 in hopes of one day becoming a pediatric my small oasis prepared me for a sea of Guilford County. surgeon. opportunities at larger schools I visited.” “There are several organizations working iranda Daniel is a senior biology After seeing the impact of her research, to eradicate food deserts through major from Albany, Georgia. Daniel feels she cannot pursue anything the dispensation of produce in those M Throughout her matriculation at less. After graduation Daniel plans communities, but how many of those Bennett College she has had the honor on entering a DO/Ph.D. dual degree organizations distribute genetically of being selected for many internships program. Ultimately, she wants to modified produce (GMOs)?,” said experiences. One in particular that has own a birthing center that operates Leaven. “ The majority of chain left a lasting impression on her was her from a holistic approach while offering grocery stores sell GMOs because of internship at Colorado State University. alternative means of pain management their prolonged shelf-life and visual The setting allowed her to apply her by utilizing a combination of birthing appearance.” learning while enhancing her skill set techniques and complimentary and and also sparking a new love for her alternative medicine. Introducing heirloom seeds to Guilford subject of study, biology. county, Leaven noted could decrease

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 43 On Saturday, 30 May celebrated their 64th of Directors, and devoted Trinity College of the Bible 2015, the Montgomery wedding anniversary June volunteers. Now in their and Theological Seminary, County, MD Section of the 24 in Atlanta Georgia. 32nd year of introducing 2015. Married to Colonel National Council of Negro Velma is a retired school students to careers and Jimmie Slade, USA Retired, Women honored Mrs. teacher in the Greensboro colleges through various she traveled extensively Doris Elizabeth herbin City Schools System. workshops, summer working professionally in Tarpley ’49 as its “Senior enrichment programs, education, human services, of the Year.” A native of alice airall Owens ’63 college tours, college fairs, and ministry throughout Greensboro, Mrs. Tarpley is a Clinical Instructor at and family retreats, the America and Germany. She retired as head children’s the College of Southern Center has assisted over is first of a Belle legacy: librarian from Aspen Hill Maryland. She received 3,000 students nationwide. cousins Brenda Parker Library, Silver Spring, her Master of Science in Previous HBCU College Jarra ’72, Christine Lloyd MD, one of larger library biology from American Fairs have welcomed over Marshall ’80; daughter facilities in the county. University and a Bachelor 900 students, parents and Rhonda L. Slade ’92; niece Below are photos from of Science in nursing from teachers. Meteea Jenkins Garner the 16th Annual Senior University of DC. Owens ’2003; and granddaughter Citizens Recognition also serves on the Board Beatrice Perry soublet ’65 Amber P. McGill ’2016 Program of the NCNW of Child Care for the has a new book of poetry Section, that alice scipio Baltimore conference of the that is available on Amazon. velma noble ’75 recently ’57 chaired for 16 years, in United Methodist Church. com. The title is Always retired after 37 years of addition to serving as chair Bring Your Sunglasses. service as a teamlead for 10 or more years. The Pensal Winston McCray specialist in the antimicrobial event was the brainchild ’63 and her husband Dr. Jewel Merritt Johnson ’66 division, environmental of Alice Scipio ’57 who Christophe J. McCray has always been a strong protection agency. She has chaired this event for were both honored educator in Washington, DC received her bachelor’s degree over 16 years. Alice Scipio posthumously for their and a passionate Civil Rights from Bennett in biology ’57 also received an award work with the ECCC (The Activist. She has been able to and her MS in healthcare from Congressman Chris Ethnic College Counseling contribute administration from the Van Hollen, the local Center) by Colorado’s to University of Maryland. A representative in Congress African American alumnae former resident of Silver and also one from the Politicians. They were Chapters Spring, Maryland, she now state senator Roger Manno named honorary chairs in resides in Greensboro, NC. for her work with this of the 2015 College Fair Durham, organization. in Denver. The ECCC NC as an Marilyn King lewis ’76 continues to operate organist received the Doctorate Delores isley noble ’57 under the auspices of for our White Breakfast and of Theology from and her husband Willie their children, a Board in Washington, DC as a Andersonville Theological supportive member. She is a Seminary, Camilla, GA. life member of the Bennett and a Bachelor of Ministry, College National Alumnae from Vintage Bible College, Association. Winston-Salem, NC. She was also ordained by the Dr. audrey Jenkins slade Rowan Baptist Association. ’70 earned the Master of Education, Boston Dr. sharon J. Buckner University, 1985 and Ph.D. Moody ’76 is from Sisterhood for Life: DC Bennett Belles from the Classes of 1993 and 1994 in Biblical Counseling, Washington, D.C. Belle

44 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE Moody received a Bachelor Distance Learners conference African lives. One of the appearances by national of Science in medical in Raleigh. Belle Valentine things that Martin Luther figures like Oprah Winfrey technology with a minor has submitted a proposal King realized is that we have and Bill Clinton. In in chemistry from Bennett, on her research to the people coming down from addition to her professional she received her Master Adult Educators Research the north and all over and accomplishments, Belle of Divinity (MDIV) at Conference they do not have a cultural Mobley has strong ties to the the Maple Springs Baptist in connection, so they need community, serving on the Bible College and Seminary Charlotte something to bring together,” board of Triad Region Cares, (MSBBCS) in Capitol for 2016. said Belle Jones on the a mentoring organization Heights, MD in 2012and Belle importance of music. In the for African American received her Doctor of Valentine is past, Penn’s speaker had a children, and as an officer Ministry (DMIN) at a graduate sports affiliation. This year, for the Bennett College MSBBCS in May, 2015. student Jones was a change in pace Alumnae Association, Currently, she is a member in the from the usual speakers. Greensboro Chapter. She of the Board of Directors College of is also the proud parent of and serves as Corresponding Education at NC State Wanda Edwards Mobley two GCS graduates. Before Secretary of the Alumni University. She completes ’83 has been name the new joining GCS, Belle Mobley Association of the MSBBCS. her Ph.D. in Adult Learning Director of Communications worked as the director Belle Moody is a contract and Community College for Guilford County Schools of public relations and chaplain at the Washington Education in 2017. (GCS). In her new position, communications at Bennett Hospital Center (WHC). Belle Mobley will oversee the College in Greensboro. She is also a volunteer at the randye lavonne Jones ’80 communication department WHC with the “Not Alone was this year’s convocation and work to communicate Elayne Gibbs Jones ’88 was Transition Companions,” speaker at William Penn what is happening in GCS the recipient of the 2015 where she shares her time University. Belle Jones is an schools to the public as well UNCF-NAC Hall of Honor with the lonely, give the acclaimed soprano singer. as opportunities available to recipient presented at the gift of companionship to The convocation coincided students, parents and staff. annual UNCF Conference the sick without family on the week of Martin She brings with her more in Charlotte, NC. Belle and accompany those Luther King Day, such than 25 years of experience Jones also completed the transitioning to another life. that by serendipity the civil in communications and Supervisory Development In November, she will have rights era was highlighted media relations. In that Program at North Carolina 35 years in as a Medical throughout the day. Belle time, she oversaw all A & T State University. Technologist in Hematology Jones a native of Greensboro, aspects of communications at the National Institutes of N.C. pursued her love for from social media and Gillian hodges Phillips Health (NIH). Belle Moody music into higher education. website management to ’90 received her Master’s of is married to Mr. George After receiving her bachelor Social Work degree from Putnam Moody Jr. She of arts degree in music George Mason University has one son, Craig Eugene education from Bennett, on December 18, 2014. Moody and one daughter, she earned a masters’ degree She is currently employed Ivy Clarice Smith. in vocal performance from at Life with Cancer, at Florida State University in INOVA Loudoun Hospital Joyce Bass valentine, ’78 Tallahassee. in Leesburg, Virginia. presented a workshop “You She provides counseling, Gotta Hold my Attention: “Music is a part of our psychosocial care and 5 Tips for Delivering to culture, it was the one thing emotional support to Millennials” at the NC we could bring from Africa, public information and cancer patients and their Community College Adult it played a key aspect in the event planning, including families both inpatient and

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 45 outpatient. Her long term goal as an Elementary Testing Announcements Happenings Fundraisers is to pursue certification in Life Coordinator for State and Coaching as well. She is married District Level Assessments for with three boys ages 13, 11 the Winston-Salem Forsyth and 3. County School System. She ScholarShip EStabliShEd in honor was a finalist for the 2015-2016 of dr. StrEat Melissa Watson ’13 received Classified Employee of The As a result of the passing of Dr. Florence Louise the Young Alumnae Award Year for the Winston-Salem Guenveur Streat, a scholarship has been at the 2016 United Negro Forsyth County Schools and the established in her honor. Dr. Streat was a College Fund national National 2008-2009 Teacher of the Year professor and chair of the Department of Home Alumnae Conference. Belle at Griffith Academy (Winston- Economics at Bennett College. She retired in 1984 Watson currently serves as the Salem Forsyth County Schools). after 40 years of service. Contributions can be sent to: Bennett College, 900 E. Washington Street; Vice President of the Raleigh Belle Brown also currently serves Greensboro, NC 27402. Please include in the Chapter of the NAA and is a as the President of the Winston memo section: Louise Streat Scholarship Fund. full time graduate student in Salem Alumnae Chapter. the Masters of Adult Education naMinG opportUnitiES Program at North Carolina Dr. Carla Walls Williams ’98 As a reminder, we still have naming opportunities A&T State University received her Ph.D. in Public available with the following options: Health with a concentration 1. honors residence hall Dr. leondra radford ’96 in Community Education and a. The Lobby - $65,000 (payable over 3 years) is the new assistant principal Health Promotion from Walden b. Parlor - $25,000 at Raymond Park Middle University in July, 2015. c. Furnishing Guest Suites - $5,000 School. Dr. Radford comes to d. Bedroom Suites - $5,000 a few left Raymond Park with secondary Kenya samuels Gray ’99 e. The Laundry Room - $5,000 administrative and teaching received the 2016 Outstanding experiences in traditional, Alumnus Award in New Orleans Note: Information is available on other rooms by charter, and alternative at the national conference for request. Contact: Audrey Franklin at afranklin@ education United Negro College Fund. bennett.edu schools. Most Belle Gray is employed with recently, she UNCF as a Relationship north carolina resident’s – an opportunity served as Manager and is currently the to have bennett college personalized the Director President of the Metro DC of College Alumnae Chapter for Bennett. license tags!!! and Career Bell Gray holds a master’s degree The National Alumnae Association would like to show Bennett pride by having North Carolina Readiness from American University. license tags for all Bennett College alumnae. Here Services at are the qualifications: University Heights Preparatory Tiffany hanshaw ’01 received Academy and the AVID District her Bachelor of Science degree 1. We must have at least 300 interested applicants Director for Community in nursing from Brenau 2. The initial price is $25 per car Charter Network. Belle Radford University in Gainesville, earned a Doctorate in Theology Georgia. We are working on a design now and once that is in June, 2011. done, we will send out the information. If you are ashley Turner ’07 graduated interested and want to be a part of the first 100, Shareka r. Brown, ’97 from Albany State University send your $25 deposit to Bennett College and mark license tag in the memo line. This does not received her Masters of Higher in May, 2015 with a Bachelor count as a part of the Annual Fund donation. Education and Educational of Science in nursing. She also Leadership in May, 2015 from became the proud parent of a For additional questions, contact: Audrey Franklin: Appalachian State University. baby boy, Jaacob Ashton Lewis [email protected] Belle Brown currently works October 18, 2015. continued on page 48

46 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE The Belle Mentoring A litany for the deceased – We Program – be a mentor for need a litany for our “silent belles.” one of our young ladies. We will have a committee to choose Be her Big sister away the best one. The selected litany will Happenings Fundraisers from Bennett as you offer be given to all chapters to conduct career and personal advice. at the funeral of our Bennett Contact Deborah Love at sisters. We will have a committee [email protected] to decide on the best litany and ZEta Xi chaptEr of alpha Kappa the announcement will be made alpha hiStorY booK during the Founder’s Day activities Zeta Xi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha September, 2016. activities A new Bennett song – We are Sorority, Inc. is working on a history September, 2016. calling all musicians, songwriters book. If you have items i.e. picture, stories or anyone who has an idea to of your line, please contact: Melissa create a new song—not to replace Watson at melissajwatson2013@gmail. any that we have but to add to com. We will then send you a format to our repertoire. We will have a follow. Please include your name, year committee to decide on the best of graduation, initiation year and e-mail song and the announcement will naTiOnal aluMnaE address. be made during the Founder’s Day activities September, 2016. assOCiaTiOn uPCOMinG EvEnTs DURHAM CHAPTER

The Durham Alumnae Chapter of Bennett College hosted its “Twenty-fifth White Breakfast and Scholarship Fundraiser” on Saturday, December 5, 9:30 a.m., at the Hilton Durham Hotel, 3800 Hillsborough Road. Over 150 friends, Bennett Belles and community supporters attended. “Women of Vision Awards of Excellence” were presented to distinguished honorees in the Durham area as follows:

Bennett College NAA Durham Chapter at their 25th White Breakfast. Chapter Pres. Bernadette Gregory Watts, ’71, President.

Audrey Franklin and Dianne Jackson, Event Chair and the honorees. From left to right are: Belle Bernadette G. Watts, President Durham Alumnae Chapter; Belle Elayne Gibbs Jones, National BCNAA Treasurer; Ms. Carolyn E. Henderson-Honoree; Dr. E. Lavonia Allison-Honoree; The Honorable Senator Eleanor “Ellie” Kinnaird - Honoree; Ms. Fran Ellison, President - Ebonettes Service Club, Inc. - Honoree; Mrs. Carolyn J. Thomas, Ebonette Founder-Honoree; Dr. Susanna G. Bell - Ebonette Founder- Honoree; Ms. Judy B. Dillard- Ebonette Founder-Honoree; Mrs. Audrey D. Franklin, Director of Alumnae Affairs and Belle Dianne Jackson, Event Chairperson.

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 47 BELLE

Mar’Kayla Walker Jones campus social justice ’08 received her master’s alliance. She is also a NECRoLoGY degree in Social Work freelance vocalist and staple DEatHs from Columbia University. soloist at the United States Hattie Bailey ’38 She has been accepted Mint, where she interned Edith Howard Bowman ’38 in the doctoral program in Summer, 2015. Belle Evelyn Love Reid ’42 at Howard University in Toney is also the recording sylvia Wallace Heggie ’44 Counseling. Secretary of the Bennett Doris Lowery akin ’46 Blanche Graves Williams ’46 College Alumnae Club of Louise Johnson Gordon ’46 siera Toney ’14 from Metropolitan Washington, Gwendoline Young Fortune ’46 Washington, holds a DC. C. Marcheta W. Hamlin ’47 Bachelor of Arts and Gwendolyn scott ’50 Sciences in interdisciplinary amra Marshall ’16, Dr. Laverne Hardy Barnes ’51 studies with concentrations amber Bradshaw hodges Betty Mooney Mauney ’52 Florence simpson Breathett ’53 in vocal performance, ’98 and shemiah Curry Margine Clapp Watson ’53 womanist theology, and ’16 at the University of Zepplyn stepp Humphrey ’55 global studies. She is now Ruth Fuiczynski ’56 pursuing a Masters of Gwendolyn Harris White ’57 Theological Studies Gloria Brown Ramsey ’60 Jeanette Napper Combs ’61 Millicent White ’61 Virginia smith Little ’62 Pauline Wright Bowie ’62 Beverly Buchanan ’62 Gwendolyn Donnell Cobb ’64 sherryll Isley Venable ’68 Joyce Webb Isaac ’71 Marsha Dalton ’72 Carol Boulware ’72 Chicago this summer. Pamela Pennix Green ’72 at Wesley Theological Amra and Shemiah were Louvenia McDonald ’76 Eunice Franklin Morgan ’76 Seminary where she is there conducting summer Yvonne George ’77 a leading member of research. the Association of Black anita Grant ’84 Seminarians and the Victoria Dunn ’87 Nakia spriggs Jenkins ’96 Michelle Gaillard Roberts ’97 asia Bobbitt ’19 KEEP in TOuCh FoRMER/CuRRENt FaCuLtY aND staFF Dr. Johnson adefila Mrs. Joyce Johnson Bembry CALL: Audrey Franklin ’72, Director of Dr. Cynthia Clemons Alumnae Affairs, 336-517-2247 Mr. stephen Crater Mrs. Evelyn Jones EMAIL: [email protected] Dr. James sayles FAX: 336-517-2244 Mrs. Louise G. streat Ms. Mildred ‘Ma’ tucker WRITE: Bennett College, office of Alumnae Affairs 900 East Washington Street, Greensboro, NC 27401 WEBSITE: www.bennett.edu MaRRIaGEs Isis Bell ’98 to Michael Kofi agyei Jr. in Newark, NJ on July 18, 2015

48 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE 2015-2016 CHAPTERS BENNETT COLLEGE NATIONAL CHAPTER & CLASS GIVING ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION 2014-15 Executive Committee and Chapter Presidents Class of 1945 $ 12,236.00 P. O. Box 20321 • Greensboro, NC 27420 Class of 1950 $ 15,050.00 Class of 1955 $ 19,742.98 Class of 1960 $ 10,864.72 EXEcUtivE coMMittEE CINCINNATI, OHIO NORTH JERSEY Rev. Jeannine Lewis Walker ’85 Ms. Samantha Dow ’97 Class of 1965 $ 50,798.58 PRESIDENT [email protected] [email protected] Class of 1970 $ 33,886.68 Mrs. Deborah Tillman Love ’79 [email protected] Class of 1975 $ 26,882.00 COASTAL CAROLINA [email protected] Class of 1980 $ 6,739.00 Ms. Renee R. Purvis ’85 ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA Class of 1985 $ 2,150.00 VICE PRESIDENT [email protected] Dr. Grace Heyward Salters ’55 Mrs. Nichelle Gordon Scott ’90 [email protected] Class of 1990 $ 7,010.98 ngordscott@aol.com NEW ENGLAND Class of 1995 $ 270.00 Ms. Lensley Gay ’75 RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA Class of 2000 $ 2,200.00 [email protected] Dr. Keisha Reed Brown ’98 RECORDING SECRETARY Class of 2005 $ 1,160.00 Ms. Brooke Walker ’94 [email protected] [email protected] DELAWARE VALLEY Class of 2015 $ 160.00 Elizabeth Van Beverhoudt ’88 ROCHESTER, NEW YORK Albany, GA Chapter $ 900.00 [email protected] FINANCIAL SECRETARY Ms. Lillie Stone ’74 Baltimore Chapter $ 4,935.00 [email protected] Mrs. Josefa Bethea Wall ’87 Charleston, SC Chapter $ 3,550.00 [email protected] DETROIT, MICHIGAN Mrs. Sandra Philpott-Burke ’70 SAVANNAH, GEORGIA Chicago Chapter $ 5,650.00 TREASURER [email protected] Ms. Meredith Simmons ’96 Cincinnatti, Ohio Chapter $ 20,372.00 Mrs. Elayne Gibbs Jones ’88 [email protected] Coastal Carolina Chapter $ 675.00 [email protected] DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA Dr. Bernadette G. Watts ’71 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Delaware Valley Chapter $ 8,732.00 PARLIAMENTARIAN [email protected] Ms. Brooke Walker ’94 Detroit Chapter $ 5,260.00 Atty. Brandy Jones Osimokun ’00 [email protected] Durham Chapter $ 27,707.00 EASTERN CAROLINA [email protected] Eastern NC Chapter $ 13,905.00 Ms. Sarah B. Sharpe ’87 TIDEWATER AREA, VIRGINIA Gastonia Chapter $ 3,346.00 Mrs. Audrey Demps Franklin ’72 [email protected] Mrs. Rita Dean Simpson ’72 DIRECTOR OF ALUMNAE AFFAIRS [email protected] General $ 37,780.43 900 E. Washington Street GASTONIA, NORTH CAROLINA Greater NY Chapter $ 11,897.00 Mrs. Donna Brown Washington ’77 Greensboro, NC 27401 WESTCHESTER, NEW YORK Greensboro Chapter $ 117,436.73 [email protected] Ms. Fay L. Fagan ’55 (336) 517-2247 – Office Houston, TX Chapter $ 200.00 (336) 517-2248 – alternate [email protected] (336) 517-2244 – fax GREATER NEW YORK Kinston, NC Chapter $ 970.00 [email protected] Mrs. Lenore Brathwaite ’89 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA Las Vegas, NV Chapter $ 1,676.98 lenore72lab@aol Mrs. Doris Luck Fullwood ’61 Metro Atlanta Chapter $ 29,036.00 [email protected] alUMnaE chaptEr GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA Metro Charlotte Chapter $ 32,481.00 prESidEntS Ms. Deanna Wynn ’01 WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA Metro Florida Chapter $ 50,694.10 [email protected] Ms. Shareka R. Brown ’97 Metro Washington DC Chapter $ 70,355.96 ALBANY, GEORGIA [email protected] Midlands/Columbia SC Chapter $ 3,675.00 Dr. Judith Hatch ’77 LAS VEGAS, NEVADA [email protected] Ms. Tisha Harris ’63 arEa contact pErSon: New England Chapter $ 7,135.00 [email protected] North Jersey Chapter $ 16,032.00 BALTIMORE, MARYLAND KINSTON, NORTH CAROLINA Northern Virginia Chapter $ 26,189.00 Ms. Norita Phillips ’91 METRO ATLANTA, GEORGIA Mrs. Joyce H. Raye ’59 Orangeburg, SC Chapter $ 755.70 [email protected] Ms. Francena Brown ’86 Home: (252) 523-4991 [email protected] Raleigh, NC Chapter $ 17,240.63 CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSTON, TExAS Rochester, NY Chapter $ 650.00 Mrs. Eugenia D. Johnson ’48 METRO WASHINGTON, DC Ms. Charmaine D. Wilson ’99 San Francisco Bay Area Chapter $ 4,107.20 [email protected] Mrs. Kenya Samuels Gray ’99 [email protected] Savannah, GA Chapter $ 2,026.00 [email protected] CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA Southern California Chapter $ 30,763.50 Ms. Pamela Reid ’82 NORTHERN VIRGINIA Tidewater, VA Chapter $ 18,984.00 [email protected] Mrs. Brenda Morgan Nicholson ’69 Westchester, NY Chapter $ 5,368.30 [email protected] CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Western NC Chapter $ 3,825.00 Mrs. Tirshatha Derricks-Bey ’99 Winston Salem, NC Chapter $ 13,575.00 [email protected] TOTal $ 787,037.47

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 49 ADVERTISEMENT

NAA 2015 HoNorees

UnsUng Heroes ADVERTISEMENT

NAA 2015 HoNorees

Ellease Randall Colston Susie W. Jones Award Service Award Elizabeth Patterson White, ’70 Kenya Samuels Gray, ’99

The NAA President’s Award The NAA President’s Award The NAA President’s Award The NAA President’s Award UnsUng Heroes Alvah Taylor Beander, ’73 Marilyn Mackel, ’65 Esther Canty-Barnes, ’76 Brandy Jones Osimodun, ’00

Achievement Award Young Alumnae Award Friend of Bennett Award Faculty Service Award Staff Service Award Natalie Renee Parker, ’01 Melissa J. Watson, ’13 Dr. Joyce Perry Edwards Tennille Foust Juliette Beard

uNsuNg Heroes

Greater New York Chapter Greensboro Chapter Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Chapter Valerie Wills Fleming, ’82 Paulette Evans, ’74 Pia Holland, ’00 BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 51 Reunion Classes 1955

1985 1970

1950 1945

1965

2010

1960

52 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE 1980

1990 2000

1995

1975

2005

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 53 2015 ALUMNAE COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND

54 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 55 will last forever. With this, we know that we must give back from neWs and we take pride in giving back. We love Bennett.” BENNETT CoLLEGE Bennett College was right behind Clafin with an average of 38.2 percent of alumnae who donated during a two-year period. According to U.S. News and World Report, the list, separate from overall rakings, is a regular series that magnifies bEnnEtt collEGE nationallY ranKEd for individual data points in hopes of providing students and alUMnaE GivinG parents a way to find which undergraduate or graduate programs excel or have room to grow in specific areas. Bennett College is no. 2 in a “Our Alumnae population u.s. news and World report is small in number but our “I would like to commend the alumnae, President of our 2016 ranking of alumni giving time at Bennett gave us life- National Alumnae Association Deborah Love, and our at historically black colleges changing experiences and executive director of Alumnae Affairs Audrey Franklin, for and universities. formulated lifelong Sister providing leadership and success in this area,” said Bennett friends,” said Deborah College President Rosalind Fuse-Hall. “I believe that Bennett Love, president of the Bennett College National Alumnae College continues to thrive because our alumnae understand Association. “Our desires are that other young women can the value of the Bennett experience and want to make sure it benefit from being educated at Bennett and that our Alma Mater exists for future generations.” n

President of Wells Fargo Advisors Solutions Keynotes Spring Convocatum Est and Kicks Off New Initiative

Diane Gabriel, president of Wells Fargo Advisors Solutions, keynoted Bennett College’s Spring Convocatum Est, on Thursday, January 14 at in the Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel as the college kicked off a new initiative with Wells Fargo Advisors (WFA).

WFA has partnered with Bennett College to offer the Securities Training Corp Program which prepares students to take the examination for a Series 7 license, also known as the general Securities Representative Exam. Bennett College is the first

Executives from Wells Fargo Advisors, faculty and students enrolled in the first Securities Training Corp Program are in front of the Global Learning Center after a luncheon following the Spring Covocatum Est. historically black college to offer the program to its students through a partnership with Wells Fargo Advisors. Fifteen students have enrolled in the class which started this semester.

Gabriel joined Wells Fargo Advisors through the merger of

The February 2016 edition of “Essence Magazine” includes Wheat First Butcher Singer and First Union in 1998. a full page advertorial and ad on pages 82 and 83. The advertorial highlights Bennett’s relationship with Wells Fargo and its new initiatives at Bennett College. The ad In August 2013, Gabriel was named head of WFA Solutions focuses on Leslie Ridgley, first vice president for Diversity and Inclusion, for her dedication to career development where she remains today leading a team of over 200 Financial and the partnership with Bennett College. Advisors. n

56 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE President Rosalind Fuse-Hall, president of Bennett College (center); is shown with Joyce Martin Dixon, an alumna of Bennett College and member of The Links, Inc.; Demetria G. Craven, director of the Martin Dixon Intergenerational Center (MDIC); and staff and students of MDIC. On display in the photo is the sign used when the center joined forces with The Links during the “Making Strides against Breast Cancer” walk Saturday, October 31, 2015.

StUdEntS at intEGEnErational cEntEr donatE $1,000 to thE aMErican cancEr SociEtY sTuDEnTs aT ThE MarTin project, in its fourth year, was initiated by Shavon Pulley-Baker, lead teacher in one of DixOn inTErGEnEraTiOnal the N.C. Pre-K classrooms at the MDIC, a laboratory preschool. The first walk began in CEnTEr (MDiC) on the campus of 2012 to bring awareness to preschool age children about cancer. This year the children Bennett College donated $1,000 to raised $251. This amount was matched by President Fuse-Hall and her husband Dr. the American Cancer Society recently Jarvis Hall. In addition Mrs. Joyce Martin Dixon, an alumna of Bennett College and through its “Change for Change” members of The Links, Inc. also contributed a donation, bringing the grand total to program in honor of the Bennett’s $1,000. Also as part of this year’s effort, the MDIC staff, parents, and women from The president, Rosalind Fuse-Hall, a cancer Links, Inc. participated in the American Cancer Society’s annual “Making Strides Against survivor. The community service Breast Cancer” walk in October. n

art aSSiGnMEnt tUrnS into a WorK of art for bEnnEtt profESSor ANAI HARLEY ElEctEd MEMbEr During her senior year at the construction site of of nc-actE EXEcUtivE at Bennett College Anai the Carolyn and Maurice coMMittEE Harley was given an LeBauer in Greensboro, assignment in her art NC. along Davie and Henry Vanderbilt Johnson, class to create a painting Church Streets. Though chair of the Department she felt best-represented her degree is in business, of Curriculum and Bennett College. Harley Harley has always had a Instruction at Bennett chose to paint a picture of passion for art. Now that College, was elected as the school’s quadrangle. she has attained a degree an Executive Committee The very next day Harley in business she plans to member of the North presented her work to use what she has learned Carolina-Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators (NC- her class, the class loved and apply it to her art ACTE). This organization unites teacher educators in both it so much that the business. Harley has created public and private colleges and universities, staff and faculty in professor Harry Swartz- a website where current state created initiatives and consortia. NC-ACTE is the lead Turfle entered it into a students, alumnae, and the advocacy group for policy issues regarding teacher preparation local contest. Through community can purchase in the state of North Carolina. Dr. Johnson was elected for the the contest, the painting the painting. For more post at the NC-ACTE Annual Fall Forum in Raleigh, North would represent Bennett information visit www. Carolina in September 2015. n College by being displayed artpal.com/anaih. n

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 57 ZUraW financial SErvicES raiSES $10,000 for bEnnEtt collEGE at from neBENNETTW CoLLEGEs ScholarShip brUnch Bennett College is $10,000 stronger thanks to the recent efforts of Ann Zuraw, President of Zuraw Financial Advisors. alUMnaE connEct With StUdEntS throUGh Zuraw, with the support of Bennett College and several hEalthY lifEStYlE challEnGE sponsors, raised $10,000 at the Bertha Sternberger & Bennett College Scholarship Fund Brunch at Greensboro Country Club in September 2015. Zuraw’s great- grandmother, Bertha Sternberger, established a fund in 1925 to support education which is currently providing scholarships to Bennett Belles. Bertha Sternberger was also a supporter of Bennett College’s transition to a woman’s college in 1926.

“The goal for the fundraiser was to raise $10,000 for Bennett College” said Zuraw, a friend of President Rosalind Fuse- Hall, who were classmates at UNC -Chapel Hill. “We are Members of the Bennett College National Alumnae Association ecstatic about the community support for Bennett College. and the Greensboro Chapter are discovering the benefits of early With 200 attendees, it confirmed Greensboro’s support in the bonding with college students one step at a time through a newly educational pursuits of women and the mission of Bennett organized Fitbit Challenge. College under the leadership of Rosalind Fuse-Hall. “

The National Association and the Greensboro Chapter have The brunch featured as the speakers Linda Beatrice Brown, formed 10 teams comprised of students and alumnae that will a graduate of Bennett College Class of ’61, and Bennett compete through the end of the academic year on the most steps College President Rosalind Fuse-Hall. Brown discussed taken as measured by Fitbits donated by Sodexo Food Service. traditions set in place by her aunt, Willa B. Player, who served as president of Bennett College. President Fuse-Hall “We see this challenge as a way of helping our student sisters recognized the faculty, staff, trustees and students who and ourselves,” said Deborah Love ’79, president of the Bennett attended the brunch. She also provided highlights of the College National Alumnae Association, who reported that she initiatives and accomplishments of faculty, staff and students. personally clocked in 72,000 steps the week as of December 6-12, 2016. “Exercise can be fun. We want to help keep students and alumnae keep moving in a healthy direction.”

As part of the challenge, the group, which has 100 student participants, engages in monthly activities centered around fitness. This year, they have sponsored Zumba and Urban dancing events.

“Our main goal is to instill in students and alumnae a healthy lifestyle,” said Deanna Wynn ’01, president of the Greensboro Chapter of the Bennett College National Alumnae Association. “This program gives us an opportunity to connect with the students, bridging some of the gaps that they have in their lives while providing that mentoring component.”

Zuraw Financial Advisors hosted a fundraiser for where proceeds benefit Bennett Having the Fitbit, which fits on the wrist, is vital to the success of College. Above is Ms. Zuraw with scholarship recipients and President Fuse-Hall. the challenge. Each member of the team is able to track the steps From left to right are: junior, Aja Baldwin, biology major; senior, Ke’Yona of team members. Using the Fitbit, a high performance, wireless Barton, biology major; junior, Chasity Dorsett, mathematics/psychology major; Ann Zuraw, president of Zuraw Financial Advisors; Bennett College President connector, participants can check their movement stats in their Rosalind Fuse-Hall; senior, Brea Fields, business administration/theater major, smartphone or computer. n mathematics minor; and junior, Ebony Smalls, biology major.

58 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE bEnnEtt collEGE SElEctEd aS MEMbEr of SaY YES 2016 alumnae class reunion class coordinators hiGhEr EdUcation coMpact Class coordinators have been assigned to assist with class activities. If you know of any missing classmates or have ideas for fundraising, Bennett College Becomes the Only HBCU of the National please contact your coordinator or the Office of Alumnae Affairs. Private College Consortium

1941 Lucille Cole Thomas: [email protected]

1946 Office of Alumnae Affairs

1951 Bernice Johnson: (252) 357 - 1142 Daisie McCallum Johnson: (910) 843 – 4745

1956 Office of Alumnae Affairs

1961 Roslyn Smith: [email protected] Barbara Miller Moore: [email protected]

1966 Geraldine Kearney Warren: [email protected] Brenda Walker Williams: [email protected] Bennett College President Rosalind Fuse-Hall and President of Guilford College Jane Carolyn Maddox McKie: [email protected] K. Fernandes celebrate Guilford County Schools new partnership with Say Yes to Education with Bennett College students. (Photo by Kai Slaughter) 1971 Sherry Peterson Keith: [email protected] Jimmie Gravely: [email protected] Bennett College is one of the newest members of the Say Yes to Bernadette Gregory Watts: [email protected] Education Higher Education Compact. Bennett is among the list of the organization’s 31 newest higher education partners which includes institutions such as California Institute of 1976 Renee Saunders: [email protected] Crystal Phifer: [email protected] Technology (CalTech), George Washington University and Ettie Collins: [email protected] Johns Hopkins University. The selection was in conjunction Gail P. Williams: [email protected] with Guilford County selection as a site for Say Yes newest chapter. 1981 Dr. Lisa Johnson, [email protected] Betty Brown Wilson, [email protected] In joining the Say Yes Higher Education Compact, private colleges and universities agree to ensure that students whose annual family income is at or below $75,000 are typically 1986 Francena Brown: [email protected] Paula Peek Roberts: [email protected] eligible, at a minimum, to attend tuition-free, provided they Mary Junious-Thrower: [email protected] successfully navigate the institution’s regular admission process.

Say Yes students whose family income is above $75,000 and 1991 Adonica Smith Williams: [email protected] Wendelin Douglas: [email protected] who are enrolled in a Compact institution are eligible to receive annual grants, from the local scholarship fund, of up to 1996 Sereta Coleman Moore: [email protected] $5,000. Dara Wilson-Izzard: [email protected] Shantisse White Mason: [email protected] Guildford County becomes Say Yes’ third community chapter, Teressa Campbell: [email protected] joining the upstate New York cities of Buffalo, which began Michelle Taylor: [email protected] implementing the Say Yes community strategy in 2012, and Syracuse, which began a pilot program in 2008. 2001 Tiffany Hanshaw: [email protected] Jerica Keeton Hamilton: [email protected] Through their Say Yes chapter, Guilford County Schools’ Deanna Wynn: [email protected] students will have access not only to last dollar tuition scholarships, but also a menu of supports and services – 2006 Chaundra Lockett: [email protected] academic and social-emotional, as well as medical and legal—to Latisha Wright: [email protected] ensure that they progress successfully along the pathway to post-secondary readiness. n 2011 Tonisha Coburn: [email protected] Ebony Edwards: [email protected]

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 59 BEFORE BENNETT: FACULTY BRING A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE FROM JOB ExPERIENCES INTO THE CLASSROOMS

BY CHELSEA MOORE

BENNETT COLLEGE prides itself “I was living in the Bahamas for four PrOFEssOr TaMMy MCnEil on producing phenomenal, ambitious, years and it was time to leave due to has over 20 years of Management and successful women. Teaching these residency issues,” said Lyansky, who is and Business Ownership experience young women are a cadre of faculty, in his third year of teaching. “We had and received her Masters of Science some with exceptional real life work to come back to the states and luckily in Management degree from High experiences that compliment what they I was given an offer by Bennett to Point University in 2002. She has bring to the classroom. come. I am VERY thankful to be here. held management positions with Greensboro is a beautiful town for my corporations, such as, American Dr. yan lyansKy biked across children to grow and Bennett is like an Express, Bank of America (formally the country during his second year in extended family for me.” NationsBank), Wachovia Bank, First graduate school at Temple University. Atlanta Bank, Deluxe Financial Services After his trip he knew he wanted He said education is sacred, not and Pepsi Bottling Group. to be a mathematician and own a something that can be bought and sold bike company. Lyansky started the for money. He also began designing Currently she serves as the 2015-2017 Downtube soon after his first cross- bikes in 2003. However, he said, his Faculty Senate President and is a non- country bike tour in 1995. The voting member of Bennett College Downtube quickly evolved into a complete bicycle resource center including: classified pages, recycle bin for old used up parts, review pages, sponsor database, stolen bike database, chat room, bulletin board system, and much more. Board of Trustees. She also serves as a He also began designing bikes in 2003. business Counselor for the Greensboro Lyansky, who teaches pre-calculus and experiences as a business owner has SCORE office located in the Nussbaum linear algebra, had his first folding helped him achieve strong results in the Center for Entrepreneurship. bike sample, the Downtube VI. His classroom. first 20-feet container of folding bikes Each year she and her business arrived in the summer of 2003. In “Students like to hear stories about me partners present “Strategic Business 2005 Lyansky introduced the VIII, and my business, their curiosity creates Plans that work and New and VIIIFS and the bikes have been motivation...so they do more work,” Age Marketing Strategies” to selling like hotcakes ever since. He is said Lyansky. the participants in the REAL most proud of the 2015 line-up with Entrepreneurship program, which is belt drives. At his company’s peak A national chess champion in the sponsored by the EMSDC Business he grossed over $2.5 million with Bahamas, Lyansky is advisor to the Development Council. For the last distribution in the USA, UK, and chess club on campus. He also receives decade, her business ownership Indonesia. funding from Susan Polgar, former experience includes consulting, business women’s world champion, in the development, professional coaching After Lyansky received his Ph.D. in form of chess sets to start the club on and personal and business mentoring 2001 he started his teaching career. campus. services. In 2004, she co-founded

60 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE N’Spired Business Solutions; a Exhibition Center for 15 years, he was sponsor called “An Evening of Creative company dedicated to helping women responsible for the day-to-day activities Expression.” This was back in 2002, entrepreneurs runs businesses. Her at the facility, budget planning, goals and I was teaching Theatre part-time common sense business approach has and objectives, and staff supervision. at both NC A&T State University and been recognized in YoungEntrepreneur. He worked closely with an Advisory Greensboro College,” Willis said. com, an Internet magazine for Board, and a large group of community entrepreneurs. Her published articles volunteers. Several weeks after his reading, a couple include: Tammy’s Tried and True 10 of faculty members he knew at Bennett Tips for Life and Business Success. She Additionally, he contracted with called to tell him the college was encourages women to be empowered national tours and celebrities for advertising for a new full-time Theatre through business ownership and helps appearances at the theatre, and helped faculty member, and encouraged him to educate through events such as the market and promote these events. As a to apply. Women Business Forum. playwright, actor and director, his work has taken him to many locations, and “Teaching at Bennett has been an She has served as a mentor for the has allowed him to work with many extraordinary experience for me, and Winston Lake YMCA Young Achievers theatres, and professionals. Prior to I continue to enjoy my time in the Programs, business professionals, Bennett, he worked frequently at the classroom,” said Willis. “I’ve been and colleagues. Ms. McNeil received Barn Dinner Theatre, as both an actor fortunate to create a couple of Special the Winston Lake Adult Leadership and a director. “I feel blessed to have Topics courses, including a one on Achievers Award and has conducted had a few of my plays produced in the Lorraine Hansberry, which I like to several presentations on “Occasional Big Apple. think of as my signature class. I haven’t Based Marketing,” “Customer taught that course in several semesters, Relationship Management,” and “The I’m still waiting for my “breakthrough” but I don’t believe there is another Role of a Leader” to students at local play to happen, but I am grateful course like it anywhere in the country.” universities and colleges. Ms. McNeil for the minor successes I’ve had as a feels that helping to enrich the lives of playwright,” Willis said. “New York He is co-authoring on a biography children and young adults will make audiences are tough, and sometimes of Diana Sands, the late African unpredictable. American actress who is best- remembered as “Beneatha” in the original Broadway and film versions of A RAISIN IN THE SUN.

“I’ve been researching Sands for nearly a decade, and a book about her is long overdue,” said Willis. “I’ve written a play about her, which has been performed in New York City a happier adult that contributes to the as well as here on campus. And now success of all communities and the it’s time to expand my research onto a society. larger canvas.” I bring a lot of “real world” experience to the classroom, and I am often able Prior to arriving at Bennett College After leaving James Madison University to help students make connections PrOFEssOr sTEvE Willis, dean in Virginia harry sWarTz- with theatre professionals, as well as of the Division of Humanities, Business TurFlE moved to Massachusetts advise them on opportunities that may and Professional Studies, free-lanced and started making his own movies be right for them.” as an adjunct professor at several and decided to go back to school for universities, wrote grants, and worked as filmmaking. He went to the University He joined Bennett College faculty a playwright, actor and director. of Massachusetts at Amherst. There he in the fall of 2003. studied filmmaking with the intent of At NC A&T, he directed a production being a documentary filmmaker. He “I was invited to Bennett’s campus of THE GLASS MENAGERIE for attained an internship at Florentine to read from my plays at an event the Richard B. Harrison Players. As Films, which is Ken Burns’s film the English Department used to Director of the High Point Theatre and

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 61 company as assistant editor. He spent “My teaching experience at Bennett diverse of its kind in the state of six years working for Court TV, which College has been filled with Maryland. was renown for the OJ Simpson Trial. tremendous rewards,” said Coleman. His job was to think creatively and “I have seen freshwomen go from “Having these distinct opportunities be engaged. As long as there was any walking into my class not knowing aided me in helping students kind of legal angle he could do what what they want to do with their lives understand that dreams come true he wanted. During his time at Court to graduating and starting their careers if determination and resilience are a TV, he covered many trials as an online and families. There’s nothing in the constant in their matriculation,” said producer. world like seeing a student have her Johnson who has been teaching at light-bulb moment….” Bennett College for 20 years. “I would write stories, edit video, create interactive graphics, and take Coleman won two Emmy awards for This year she is teaching voice, choir, photographs,” he said. “Court TV news coverage during Hurricane music history. Other courses she teaches was ahead of its time and forming the Katrina: Breaking News Coverage and include vocal diction, vocal literature, templates that big media companies Best Newscast. He also was part of an voice class and fundamentals of music. still use today. I soon realized I was not Edward R. Murrow Award winning as engaged in the content of the news newscast for Continuous Coverage of a She came to Bennett after her classmate as much as I was the form.” Winston-Salem Police officer being who was a choral conductor at North killed in a shootout. Carolina A&T University shared He found out he had a passion and information about the opening. that he was an artist all along. After Coleman brings a wealth of working at 30 Rockefeller Center and professional experience, connections Her experience as producer of many NBC for two years, he walked away and theoretical knowledge to the Compact disc recordings led to the with his yearly bonus and went to art classroom everyday. He works with production of four Bennett College school. Today he is at Bennett College other Journalism and Media Studies choir CDs, which allowed students to teaching art. Department faculty in a cohesive learn all aspects of recording a CD. manner to provide opportunities for Some of those students have gone on to KEOnTE COlEMan serves as students. The JMS Department has record CDs of their own. the interim department chair of the hosted numerous media professionals Journalism & Media Studies (JMS) over the past five years. Last year the While at Bennett, she has continued Department at Bennett College. Before faculty hosted CBS anchor James to display her gift of singing on CD venturing into academia, Coleman Brown, MSNBC correspondent Joy- recordings including the BBC-British was a multiple Emmy award-winning Ann Reid, author Kevin Powell, and a Broadcasting Company and with local television news producer. His first number of local journalists and media performances in Japan, England, encounter with Bennett College was in professionals. Trinidad/Tobago, Alaska and many other cities in the US. October of 2009 when he was asked to “We want to continue bringing in take over for another adjunct who had media professionals who can inspire “Students expressed how my accepted a reporting job in a different our students and help them advance experiences encouraged them to work state. in their careers,” Coleman said. “We hard so that they could perform in a all strive to make our classroom variety of venues,” said Johnson. “I would teach the class in the morning environments and assignments as close and drive to WXII-12 after the class to the real world as we can.” “I am proud to say that many of them was over to make it to my afternoon have worked hard and achieved those news meeting,” he said. “I was the 11 Prior to joining the Bennett family, goals. We have had students perform at pm news producer at WXII-12 News Dr. valEriE JOhnsOn had the the Seattle Opera, TV shows and Japan, at the time.” distinguished honor of performing a just to name a few.” n recital at the Kennedy Center for the He became a full-time professor Performing Arts. A few years later, she in 2010. This semester he teachers would return to the Kennedy Center international media, internship, media to conduct the Prince Georges County business and news reporting and Honors Chorus. This 300-voice chorus writing II. is the largest and most culturally

62 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE Name: ______Class: ______LOYALTY Address: ______City: ______State: ______Zip: ______FUND Phone number: Home ( ) ______Email: ______YES! I would like to contribute to Bennett College and be a part Please Check All That Apply: of ensuring a strong and vibrant ___ ALUMNA ___ PARENT ___ TRUSTEE ___ FACULTY ___ STAFF ___ STUDENT future for aspiring young women who desire to join the ranks of ___ FRIEND/SUPPORTER educated women. Enclosed is my check or money order for: $ Card #______Exp. Date: ______Online Giving Name as it appears on card: ______www.bennett.edu Signature: ______

BELoW Is MY GIVING CatEGoRY: _____ I/we would like our gift designated toward the Annual Fund _____ I/we would like our gift designated for the Scholarship Fund _____ $25,000 or more President’s Circle _____ I/we would like our gift designated for Capital Improvements _____ $10,000—24,999 David D. Jones Society _____ Other _____ $2,500—9,999 Susie Williams Jones Society _____ My employer will match my gift. Company ______$1,926—2,499 1926 Society _____ $500—1,925 Golden Belle Society ______$200—499 Silver Belle Society _____ $100—199 Century Club (Please complete and enclose your company’s matching gift form with your contribution) Check payable to BEnnEtt COllEGE _____ I would like information on making a planned gift or including BENNETT COLLEGE in my will. Mail form to: bennett college | office of institutional advancement | 900 East Washington Street | Greensboro, nc 27401-3239

BEnnEtt COllEGE natiOnal alumnaE aSSOCiatiOn (BCnaa) Name: ______Class: ______MEMBERSHIP FORM Address: ______City:______State: ______Zip: ______Checks and money order payable to: Phone #: Home ( ) ______Cell ( ) ______- ______Bennett college national alumnae association Email: ______Mail completed form and payment to: BCNAA Chapter Affiliation (If any): ______BCNAA, P. O. Box 20321, Greensboro, NC 27420 Membership type - Please Check One: _____ Special Annual Membership of $35 (Graduation date less than 5 years) THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! _____ Regular Annual Membership of $50 SPECial nOtE: PAID MEMBERSHIP GRANTS _____ Life Membership of $500 VOTING PRIVILIGES DURING THE ANNUAL _____ Partial Life Membership (Initial payment $150.00)* MEETING HELD ALUMNAE WEEKEND * (Life Membership must be completed within three (3) years) AND ELIGIBILTY FOR A BALLOT IN AN ELECTION YEAR. Enclosed is my check or money order for: $ ______Credit Card Payment ____Visa ___ MasterCard ___ Discover Amount to be charged $ ______For questions, contact Elayne Gibbs Jones ’88 at Card #______Exp. Date: [email protected] or Josefa Bethea Wall [email protected] Name as it appears on card: ______Signature ______

BELLE RINGER MAGAZINE | 63 VENDORS AND CHAPTERS PROVIDE BELLE MERCHANDISE

Bennett College is working to formalize its collegiate Glitz & Glam Jewelry was established in May 2014 merchandising processes to ensure that a consistent brand by owner LeTresa Williams ’97. Glitz & Glam designs exists and sellers give back to the college. Three vendors handcrafted jewelry to include bangles, bracelets, have agreed to follow the College’s review process which necklaces, and earrings for women, men, children and requires prior approval for designs. The vendors are Glitz organization specific jewelry. & Glam by li – infinity Consulting Group, llC (www.glitzandglambeads.com); Traditions: Final iv Belle & Company is an online boutique created by Enterprises, llC (www.traditioneversince.com); and three Bennett College Alumnae -- Delrisha White ’13, Belle & Company (BennettBelle.com). Carmen Smith ’11 and Dominique Mackey ’14. Belle & Company solicits the opinion of Belles from across These companies have been provided provisional generations to develop their designs. All of their products authorization to produce merchandise for Bennett are designed and shipped in house. College. While vendors have received provisionally approval, each are solely responsible for quality, sale and Traditions supports HBCUs by bringing merchandise distribution of their merchandise Bennett College is with their trademarks to the mainstream market place. working with these businesses and others on a case by Traditions, which uses high quality products, works to case basis and planned to formalize its licensing process in build a brand for HBCUs that has staying power. The the near future. owner is Gerard O. Murray, previous owner of School of Hard Knocks. The company was conceived from Murray’s “Our goal is to make sure that the proper logo is used family operated retail clothing/footwear in New York and that Bennett College is portrayed appropriately,” which has been in existence for 40 years. said Sharon Saunders, chief communications officer at Bennett College. “We believe that the royalties from sales could be put to great use at the college.”

BELLES…. PREPARE TO ORDER ONE RALEIGH CHAPTER

The raleigh area Chapter of the Be the first to sport a custom color & chrome-plated Bennett College car emblem Bennett College National Alumnae Association presents our 2nd Annual Pre-order your first ever Bennett College car emblem today Ornament Fundraiser. All proceeds go Custom Car Emblem Cost: $20.00 toward scholarships for students and the To pre-order or for questions, please email [email protected] College Annual giving fund. Thank you The Atlanta Class of 86’ car emblem fundraiser proceeds will go to Bennett College. in advance for your support!

ornament Cost: $19.26 Thank you in advance for your support! Please contact Melissajwatson1926@ gmail.com if you have any question or to place a order!

64 | CELEBRATING 90 YEARS AS A WOMEN’S COLLEGE Belle & Company: Visit us at BennettBelle.com

BeNNeTT COLLeGe “Ashley Cardigan” by TRADITION ever Since is available. The deadline to order is April 24th at Midnight. The next scheduled delivery will be October or November. To purchase visit www. TraditionEverSince.com/Bennett or send money order or certified check for $135 with your name, address and size to: TRADITION; PO Box 143043; Fayetteville, GA 30214.

Styling and photograph credit: Autumn Tribitt, Bennett College CLASS OF 2003

Glitz & Glam: Orders can be placed at www.glitzandglambeads.com Orders will start shipping June 2016

The Class of 1986 Fundraiser

The Bling Purse hooK PRICe $25 A dual crystal row, foldable glass Bennett College purse hook. This customize piece measures 30mm in diameter, will fit on any table up to 2 ½ “in thickness and holds up to 15lb.

The Bling Purse Charm/hooK PRICe $25 A crystal Bennett College dual purpose purse charm/hook. This piece is design to hang on the purse strap as jewelry for your hand bang and when needed can be taken off to hang your handbag on the table. This customize piece will fit on any table up to 2 ½ “ in thickness and holds up to 15lb.

The Bling Purse Key Finder PRICe $16 A crystal Bennett College key kinder. Making losing your key in your purse a thing of the past.

These items can be purchased through the website https://sites.google.com/site/bennettcollege1986 or by emailing [email protected]. NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGe PAID GReeNSBORO, NC PeRMIT #366

900 e. Washington Street Greensboro, NC 27401

Join us for BeNNeTT COLLeGe ALUMNAe WeeKeND 2016 Thursday, May 5 – Sunday, May 8, 2016

Honoring the Classes of: 1941, 1946, 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011

Host Hotel the Sheraton Four Seasons