Inaugural Bethune Height Recognition Program
Saturday, April 2 6, 2025 11:00 am – 2:00 PM
THEME – EMPOWERED WOMEN: A COALITION FOR UNITY AND VISION
Processiona l
The Libation
Invocation
Introduction of Deborah Tucker
President, NCNW Denver Section
Chair, NCNW Rocky Mountain Regional Coalition
Inaugural Bethune Height Recognition Program
Welcome & Introduction of Mistress of Ceremony
C arol J . Smith
Mistress of Ceremony
Certified Professional Coach & Senior Living Advocate
Introduction of Dais Guests
Negro National Anthem : “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Greetings from Reverend Shavon Arline - Bradley
Bataki Cambrelen
Percussion Selection
Carol McCallum - Shockness
NCNW Denver Section Life Member
Sherry Delaney
NC NW Denver Section & Rocky Mountain Regional Coalition Chaplain
Sherry Delaney
Deborah Tucker
C arol J . Smith
Mary Louise Lee (Lead)
Musical Vocalist
NCNW National President & CEO
The Occasion History of BHRP Video Presentation “Just Imagine”
Narrated by Sheryl Lee Ralph
Introduction of Dr. A. Lois Keith
Sarah J.E. Dean, President
NCNW National Chair NCNW Rocky Mountain Regional Coalition
Musical Selection
Keynote Address
Mary Louise Lee
Dr. A. Lois Keith
NCNW National Chair
BLESSING OF THE FOOD LUNCH IS SERVED
Presentation of Awards
Inaugural Bethune Height Recognition Program Saturday, April 2 6, 2025 11:00 am – 2:00 PM
Carol J. Smith & Legacy Life & Life & Bethune Achievers
Presentation of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune
Dr. A. Lois Keith , “Last Will & Testament Scroll”
Deborah Tucker , and The Honorable Wilma J. Webb
Reverend Vanessa Johnson
Candlelight Ceremony : “ This Little Light of Mine”
Section Membership Appeal
Pamela M. Miller NCNW Denver Section 2 nd Vice President, Membership Chair
Bendedictio n Sherry Delaney
“Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” Mary Louise Lee Musical Vocalist
TheBethuneHeightRecognitionProgramwouldliketothankallthehonorees,sponsors,sectionsand guestsfortheirsupport!
About NCNW Mission
The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) is a council of national African American women’s organizations and community-based sections. Founded in 1935, the NCNW mission is to lead, develop, and advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. NCNW fulJills this purpose through research, advocacy, and national and community-based services and programs on issues of health, education, and economic empowerment in the United States and Africa. With its 38 national afJiliates and more than 330 sections, NCNW is a 501(c)3 organization with an outreach to nearly two million women.
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune was an extraordinary educator, civil rights leader, and government ofJicial. Mrs. Bethune’s background as a teacher inspired her to open the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls in Daytona Beach, Florida. On October 3, 1904, it opened with just Jive students. The school blossomed and became the co-educational Bethune-Cookman College in 1929 after merging with Cookman Institute and was fully accredited in 1943.
In 1935, she founded the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. She envisioned NCNW to be an “organization of organizations” that would represent the national and international concerns of Black women. It would also give Black women the opportunity to realize their goals for social justice and human rights through united, constructive action.
Dr. Bethune was also a political activist. She was the Jirst African American woman to be involved in the White House, assisting four different presidents. She had the most signiJicant inJluence on Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal Government. From 1936-1945, she served as the informal “race leader at large” for the administration. Mrs. Bethune was also one of the most inJluential African American leaders in the Black Cabinet, which organized the Federal Council on Negro Affairs. She also served as Director of Negro Affairs for the National Youth Administration, where she tirelessly worked to help young people Jind jobs and to secure funds for youth.
Dr. Dorothy Irene Height
For nearly half a century, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height led the struggle for equality and human rights for all people. Her life exempliJied her passionate commitment for a just society and her vision of a better world.
Dr. Height attended New York University and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in four years. She did postgraduate work at Columbia University and the New York School of Social Work. She worked as a caseworker for the New York Welfare Department, she was named the Jirst Black to deal with the Harlem riots of 1935 and became one of the young leaders of the National Youth Movement of the New Deal era. Her civil rights advocacy began, as she worked to prevent lynching, desegregate the armed forces, reform the criminal justice system and provide free access to public accommodations.
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of National Council of Negro Women, noticed Ms. Height who was escorting Eleanor Roosevelt into the NCNW meeting. Mrs. Bethune invited her to join NCNW. She served in a dual role as YWCA Staff member and NCNW volunteer. She rose quickly through the ranks of the YWCA, and retired in 1977.
Dr. Height was elected National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in 1947 and carried the sorority to a new level of organizational development throughout her term until 1956. In 1957, Dr. Height was elected fourth National President of NCNW and served until 1998. She served as Chair and President Emerita of NCNW until her death on April 20, 2010.
BHRP History
The Bethune-Height Recognition Program (BHRP) is an annual event that supports the work of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW). This national program is conducted by NCNW State Organizations (or approved cooperating combinations of states). It includes participation of all NCNW Community Based Sections, Collegiate Sections, Legacy Life members, Life Members, Associate Supporters and National AfJiliate Organizations. The Program recognizes individual NCNW members for their extraordinary work in volunteering for community services and their donation of a minimum of $300.00 dollars to support the work of NCNW. These persons are called “Bethune-Height Achievers.” New
Life members and Legacy Life members are also honored as a part of the Bethune-Height Recognition Program.
Bethune Program Founding Members
Dr. Dorothy Irene Height Esther McCall Elayne W. Corley Elsie Bookhart
A. Irene P. Yearwood Mozell Reid Odessa L. Skeene Helen P. Blocker
Frances K. Johnson (not pictured)
In 1974, NCNW women leaders from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut came together to discuss the idea of presenting a fundraising event to honor National President, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. Instead, Dr. Height proposed a program similar to the Donor Program of Hadassah which she had just received the Hadassah Myrtle Wreath Award. Through this program, Hadassah honored selected women along with members who had set an annual Kinancial goal and achieved it. The proceeds provided major support for the Hebrew University Hospital in Israel.
With the cooperation and assistance of friends from Hadassah and with an adaptation to suit the National Council of Negro Women’s purposes, the women launched the Mary McLeod Bethune Recognition Program. It was proposed that the program be designed to honor and recognize individuals who give or raise funds during the year to provide annual Kinancial support for the work of the National organization. In turn, they would be designated as “Bethune Achievers.”
The founding members of this very unique program were: Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, Esther McCall, Elayne W. Corley, Elsie Bookhart, A. Irene P. Yearwood, Mozell Reid, Odessa L. Skeene, Helen P. Blocker and Frances K. Johnson.
In 1975 at NCNW’S 37th National Convention, it was voted to make the Mary McLeod Bethune Recognition Program an annual fund-raising event in support of the national organization. In 2009 at NCNW’s 54th National Convention, it was voted to include Dr. Height’s name and the program was renamed to Bethune-Height Recognition Program (BHRP).
