Rahway

NEW JERSEY STATE STEERING COMMITTEE

Rahway Section

History

The Rahway Section was organized by Ruth Coleman in 1967 and chartered with 55 members; who opened their homes to host monthly meetings.

1967-68 Executive Board

President - Ruth Coleman

1st Vice President - Minnie Avent 2nd Vice President - Delores Colebrooke

Recording Secretary - Patricia Holmes Chaplain - Gloria Cherry

Treasurer - Margaret Stockley Financial Secretary - Lovenia Hill

Parliamentarian - Alberta Howard Historian - Barbara Black

One of the flagship programs offered by NCNW-Rahway is the Senior Luncheon, which is held annually on the 2nd Saturday of December. For many years, the meals were prepared by our members. Generous donations from the various organizations in Rahway now fund the catered meal we provide to our guests. The 50th anniversary of the NCNW-Rahway Senior Lunch will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2019. The luncheon will be held at the Rahway 7th & 8th Grade Academy on Madison Avenue in Rahway.

The Project Apple, one of the NCNW National programs for teen pregnancy prevention, was launched along with other sections at St. James AME Church in Newark, under the direction of Mrs. Lovenia Hill and Mrs. Jean Robertson. The program evolved to become TAP (Teenage Awareness Program) and had sponsorship from Merck & Co. Inc for 10 years. Since then, RSI bank and other local organizations have supported the program along with funds raised by NCNW-Rahway members. The purpose of this program is to instill the belief that all youth have dignity and worth, and that each individual is unique and important to their family, their community and themselves.

The TAP Program has sponsored Black History programs where youth participants have performed at the Library, participated in the Rahway Memorial Day parade and other local venues. The TAP program has sponsored HBCU tours to Howard, NC A&T, Spellman, Bethune-Cookman, Clark, Delaware State and Delaware University, Kean, Union County College, etc.

Rahway NCNW-Rahway sponsored its first Miss NCNW Teen Pageant under the leadership of Rev Sarah Benjamin. The contestants were judged on their presentation of casual and evening wear, portrayal of a notable African American, talent, voice projection. Many of our contestants have gone on to compete in other pageants and we had one of our young ladies crowned winner of Hal Jackson’s Talented Teens International competition.

NCNW-Rahway started the City’s annual Martin Luther King (MLK) Birthday celebration. The program is now a weekend-long celebration sponsored by the Rahway NAACP, and supported by NCNW-Rahway members.

NCNW-Rahway began collaborating with Redeeming Care, Inc., to sponsor a 50+ Senior Luncheon and HIV/AIDS seminar annually. Redeeming Care, Inc is a nonprofit organization that advocates for families affected by HIV/AIDS.

The Rahway section of NCNW continues to thrive and support the mission of the National organization which is to lead, advocate for and empower women of African descent, their families and communities. Our meetings are held on the 4th Monday of each month at the Second Baptist Church, 378 E. Milton Avenue in Rahway NJ.

Rahway Section 2018-2019 Executive Board Members

President - Ebony Parham

1 st Vice President - Rev. Sarah Benjamin

2 nd Vice President – Lillie Henderson

Recording Secretary – Marie Anderson

Corresponding Secretary – Gail Robinson

Financial Secretary – Erma Harmon

Treasurer – Lillie Hunter

Parliamentarian – Jean Robertson

Historian – Victoria Meinga

Chaplain – Emma Tucker

Sargeant at Arms – Evelyn Boyd