Receiving An Award and Sharing a Reflection: Updates from John Hope President/CEO, Peter D. Lee, MSW
December 7, 2010
By Peter D. Lee, MSW
Click here to see past posts “From the President/CEO” blog
This past Sunday, December 5, John Hope was recognized at the annual Holiday Tea of the Northeasterners, Inc. Massachusetts chapter. I had the distinct honor of attending this event, which was held in Weston, MA.
“The Northeasterners, Inc. was founded in New York by Agatha Scott in 1930. She was impressed with young African-American debutantes she met while visiting several cities. They all seemed to have similar interests and backgrounds. The idea caught on and several young women representing various states in the Northeast came together with the aim of keeping in touch with each other socially, keeping abreast of cultural trends and rendering services to the community. Some of the past projects were organized to aid community and educational causes. Some included an annual scholarship to Howard University, contributions to the Infantile Paralysis Library Project at Tuskegee Institute, contributions to the NAACP, the Urban League, the United Negro College Fund and the American Cancer Society, among others.”
On Sunday the 5th of December, John Hope Settlement House was recognized and presented with more than 20 new children’s books. In my conversations with members, I learned of the joy they had experienced in selecting the books, especially those that featured successful African-Americans and individuals of color. I was honored to listen to their stories, to learn of the professional lives of these now retired women of color, and gain insight into their passion for keeping this network alive. I couldn’t help but think how their founding story was so similar to John Hope’s genesis.
I want to personally thank Ms. Sybil Wilson, President of the Massachusetts chapter, for selecting John Hope. And I wish to extend a special word of thanks as well to Northeasterner member Lynn Edmonds, a close friend of John Hope, who nominated our agency for this prestigious award.
