Nancy Dawkins - 100 Years of Excellence

Celebrating the 100th Birthday of

NANCY DAWKINS October 7, 2023 OMEGA ACTIVITY CENTER 15600 NW 42nd Avenue Opa Locka Fl

NANCY SIDNEY DAWKINS It happened 100 years ago, on October 11, to Joseph and Viola Sidney in Dania, Florida. Viola gave birth to their third child, a beautiful baby girl. Her older siblings, Horace and Josephine, welcomed and nurtured her with open arms. They all knew she would be special. She grew to be a real beauty who projected confidence and an extraordinary spirit in her own skin. She was smart and bossy and was not afraid to flaunt it.

This southern girl graduated from Dillard High School. During that time, Blacks in Dania did not have a high school in their tiny town. Her younger brother Ernest and niece Martha, who came after her, decided to attend Booker T. Washington High School in Miami. Her nieces Martha and Minnie lived with the Sidney family off and on for many years. Nancy would be the first of the siblings to attend college. She knew she wanted to make a difference in this world. Little did she know she would end up doing astonishing things to serve her community.

Nancy’s father was a farmer and property owner who was a leader in the community and of course Nancy was a daddy’s girl. When it came time to work the fields, her father allowed Nancy to drive the tractor. She also then realized she wasn’t cut out for that type of work so her father encouraged her to become a teacher. After she finished high school, she got on the train and left the town of Dania to attend college. Bethune Cookman College was the location she would begin her illustrious career. On school breaks, Nancy would travel to Clearwater, Florida and visit family and help them in the family store.

At BBC, she majored in Home Economics and immediately caught the eye of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. She became a member of the Home Economics Career Club under Dr. Bethune. She would accompany Dr. Bethune on many of the places Dr. Bethune would go to raise funds for the college and the club members would serve the food to the rich folks. While on campus in 1943, she would meet a young handsome student from Tampa, Florida. His name was Miller James Dawkins.

She would go on to graduate from the two-year college with an Associates of Arts Degree in Home Economics. Nancy is one of the few students who got Dr. Bethune to personally sign her diploma.

She then attended Florida A & M University in Tallahassee and Miller joined the Merchant Marines.

Nancy graduated from Florida A & M in 1946 and married Miller October 27, 1952. She would later receive her Master’s Degree from Indiana University in 1962.

Nancy got a job teaching in Miami in 1948 but Miller and Nancy lived in Dania until they relocated to Miami in 1954. In 1953, Nancy gave birth to their one and only child, a son, Myron Jaye Joseph Dawkins on December 21, 1953. They would later build a home in the Allapattah area and live right across from Manor Park (as it was formerly known.) Little did everyone know, including themselves, that living there would change their lives.

NANCY SIDNEY DAWKINS Mrs. Dawkins was first recognized in the community for her work in the field of education. She was a teacher at the following schools: Liberty City, Holmes, Charles Drew, Orchard Villa, Thena Crowder and Poinciana Park Elementary Schools and Booker T. Washington Sr. High.

Mrs. Dawkins went on to co-author a new program concept that became the C.O.P.E. School (North) for pregnant teenagers where she served as its first Home and Family Education teacher.

She then served as a Career and Occupational Specialist at Booker T. Washington. She also taught Childhood Education at Miami Dade Community College. She also co-authored the first proposal for the Elizabeth Curtis Kindergarten at the New Covenant Presbyterian Church. She impacted the lives of so many students during that time. One of those students was Dorothy Mindingall.

With Nancy’s support, Miller decided to enter the political arena. They both felt very strongly about wanting to help their community. He ran for State Representative and was later elected to the Miami City Commission in 1981. His position on the city commission afforded them the opportunity to see the world and meet kings and queens. She has personally met Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu, President Jimmy Carter, Prince, Queen Elizabeth, Robin Roberts and several other kings in the motherland of Africa. Last year, she had the honor of meeting US president Joseph Biden when he visited Florida Memorial University. She even tried to throw out the first pitch at the Miami Marlins baseball game when they honored her and other local leaders.

Her experience in education led her to dedicate her life to become a leader and advocate for human rights and community activism. That’s where she would meet her friend for life, Dr. Barbara CareyShuler. She has been involved in the Florida State Voters League, the League of Women Voters, Kwanzaa Steering Committee, Allapattah Homeowners Association, Women in Media, NAACP, the Urban League of Greater Miami, Girl Scout Leader (25 years), and United Teachers of Dade. She has served in leadership roles as a founding member of the Business and Professional Women South Florida Club (President, Vice President, Life Member), Quettes of Sigma Alpha Fraternity (President), National Council of Negro Women (President, Life Member), American Association of University Women (President), Hadley Park Homeowners Association (President), and Dade County Commission of the Status of Women (Vice President). She also has membership with Florida A & M University Alumni Chapter, Bethune Cookman University Alumni Association (Life Member), and Miami Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated (Chair Delta Dears, Life Member.) he has served on the board of the Black Archives Historical and Research Foundation, Children’s Home Society, and Hadley Park/Buena Vista Homeowners. Mrs. Dawkins was also SHINE Representative (15 years) who helps advise the elderly on their health and insurance needs. This Miami activist was a founder of the Theodore Gibson Oratorical Contest. The first Oratorical Contest was held on December 14, 1977 at her school, Booker T. Washington with 21 junior and senior high school students. As the originator of the Theodore R. Gibson Oratorical Project, she focused her attention on promoting, supporting, and advocating local, young, African American students “to speak their truths” in an open, competitive forum which led to multiple scholarships and recognitions in national oral competitions. She stills attends the Oratorical competitions, which are being held at Miami Dade North Campus.

The Metropolitan Section of the National Council of Negro Women established a scholarship program in her honor in 2019. She exudes the strength and fortitude of Dr. Mary McCleod Bethune, the founder of NCNW. Young ladies are able to meet Mrs. Dawkins and also take advantage of educational funds to help in their pursuit of excellence.

This Miami activist was also a founding member and first President of the Northwest Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). She now holds the title of President Emeritus. She was instrumental in organizing the largest African-American Chapter of AARP in the country in 1991 with 525 members for Chapter #8646. Mrs. Dawkins and her husband, Miller, were also instrumental with the initial campaign to get funding to build the Carrie P. Meek Senior Center at Hadley Park and get funding for the Optimist Club. She along with other community leaders spoke out at commission meetings to get the center built. Miller and Nancy work hard to make a positive impact in their community. They wanted their community to have the finer things in life also especially the groups that were near and dear to them. They lobbied and fought to have Hadley Park (formerly known as Manor Park) have an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a new recreational center. The pool now bears their name Miller and Nancy Dawkins Swimming Complex.

The outspoken leader fought for senior citizens have a place to meet and enjoy their surroundings.

Miller also made sure his fraternity would have a place to meet so he was very instrumental in the construction of the Omega Activity Center.

Today, hundreds of seniors gather daily to enjoy the full-service gym, social services, and recreational activities. It is also the very place where AARP and the Homeowners Association hold its meetings. Continuing her work, she was also a founding member of the Business and Professional Women South Florida Club and its Second President. Mrs. Dawkins activism in the City of Miami also earned her accolades with having her name erected at several locations. A street was renamed in her honor in 2018. “Nancy Dawkins Way” runs right in front of her house and the Carrie Meek Senior Center. She is known to be outspoken because she is speaking for others who feel they had no voice.

She has worked on political campaigns on every level, from President to Community Associations.

Officials such as Bob Graham (Governor), Claude Pepper (US Congressman), Carrie Meek (US Congressman), Fredericka Wilson (US Congressman), Joe Lang Kershaw (Florida Representative), Dr, Barbara Carey (County Commissioner), Miller Dawkins (Florida and Miami City Commission), Xavier Suarez (Miami Mayor, Commissioner), Gwen Cherry (Florida House), Dorothy Mindingall (Florida House, School Board Member), are all glad Nancy worked tirelessly and supported them during their successful campaigns.

She is a member of Mt. Zion AME Church in Dania Beach, FL, where she serves as a Stewardess. She has received numerous awards for her service to the community, including a “Women of Impact”, Sojourner Truth Award, Dr. Martin Luther King Service Award, US Congressional Award, and numerous other awards and appreciations. At the 2015 District Conference, she was presented a “Strands of Wisdom” golden medallion for her 50 years of service to the Business and Professional Women’s Club. She was recently recognized by Bethune Cookman as oldest living graduate.

Now, she loves spending her time traveling with her family, sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta, FAMU Alumni and Bethune-Cookman Alumni Associations. She remains active in her B & P club, the Hadley Park/Buena Vista Homeowners Association, AARP, National Council of Negro Women, AAUW and Delta Dears. She has two grandsons and four great-grandchildren.

Nancy Dawkins’ life has embodied a Spirit of Excellence, strength, beauty, and endurance while making outstanding contributions to helping to leave this community better before she leaves this world. She is known to speak her mind, especially regarding her community and the young people that live there. She is about action, and she won’t settle for anything less. Her generosity to do for others and ensure her community gets its fair share should be recognized and honored forever.

This 100-year-old active senior citizen of the City of Miami and a 35-year retired educator has committed her lifetime to serving her community. She has resided for more than 70 years in her Allapattah home. She married the late Miami City Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins for over 62 years.

Miller passed away on August 2, 2010, and their only son Myron passed away April 5, 2003. Myron left a legacy of two wonderful sons who Nancy helped nurture them into adulthood. They are active in her day-to-day care and make sure she gets all the things she needs or else!

This year, Nancy celebrated 45 years in the sisterhood of Delta Sigma Theta with her line sisters, the Syncopated Seventeen. She and her niece Kathy partied with Sorors Naomi Davis, Rosa Jones, Josephine Hall, Gerry Koonce, and Bernadette Poitier.

Now that she has met the century mark, she plans on spending as much time as the Lord gives her to visit with her family and friends. She has two grandsons, LeNere and Matthew, and four greatgrandchildren, Taylor, Tori, Makayla, and Myles. Even though she helped to raise them, she has now become a mother to her nieces, Kathy Thurston and Debra Washington, since they recently lost their mothers. She is also the mother/godmother to hundreds of others who she has adopted, or they have adopted her. She is still active in her Business & Professional Club, the Hadley Park Homeowners Association, AARP, National Council of Negro Women, and Delta Dears.

Nancy has impacted the lives of so many people. Family members such as Ashante Thurston, Angelique Dawkins-Stinson, Tiffany Cowin, Sonja Christmas, Adrian Dawkins, Sonja Christmas, Juanita Gordon, Luticha Holmes, Gloria Devine, Arthur Evans, the late Martha Day, Regina Summers, and Barbara Walls. She is also happy to celebrate her 100 years with other family members who have traveled to Miami to be with her, such as the Lesters, Johnsons, Dawkins, and Lewis’.

Thank you, Lord, for the longevity and the legacy of this 100-year-old Phenomenal Women: Nancy Sidney Dawkins. …,and the story continues!

Years of Excellence

NANCY SIDNEY DAWKINS

Celebrating the 100th Birthday of NANCY SIDNEY DAWKINS

PROGRAM WELCOME

MATTHEW J. DAWKINS

ENTRANCE OF BIRTHDAY GIRL

NANCY DAWKINS

INTRODUCTION OF MISTRESS OF CEREMONY KATHY THURSTON PRESIDING

SHIRLYON MCWHORTER

PRAYER/INVOCATION

REV. PAUL R. WIGGINS

READINGS EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

DR. DOROTHY BENDROSSMINDINGALL

INTRODUCTION OF HONORED GUESTS MUSICAL SELECTION

MARYEL EPPS

FRIEND IN DEED

T. WILLIARD FAIR GWENDOLYN HAYNES EVANS

VIDEO PRESENTATION BLESSING OF THE FOOD

REV. RICHARD DUNN LUNCH IS SERVED

EXCELLENCE IN THE FAMILY

MYLES DAWKINS

MUSICAL SELECTION EXCELLENCE IN THE COMMUNITY

DR. BARBARA CAREY-SHULER

EXPRESSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS SPECIAL TRIBUTE REFLECTIONS FROM THE GUEST OF HONOR

NANCY DAWKINS

BENEDICTION

REV. PAUL R. WIGGINS

CLOSING REMARKS

LENERE J. DAWKINS

Years of Excellence

NANCY SIDNEY DAWKINS A CELEBRATION OF 100 YEARS OF LIVING INSTEAD OF COUNTING CANDLES OR TALLYING THE YEARS CONTEMPLATE YOUR BLESSINGS AS YOUR 100TH BIRTHDAY NEARS. CONSIDER SPECIAL PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU AND WHO CARE. AND OTHERS WHO’VE ENRICHED YOUR LIFE JUST BEING THERE. THINK ABOUT THE MEMORIES PASSING YEARS CAN NEVER MAR EXPERIENCES GREAT AND SMALL THAT HAVE MADE YOU WHO YOU ARE. ANOTHER YEAR IS A HAPPY GIFT SO CUT YOUR CAKE AND SAY “INSTEAD OF COUNTING BIRTHDAYS I COUNT BLESSINGS EVERY DAY!”

STEERING COMMITTEE KATHLEEN DAY THURSTON SANDRA GIPSON LENERE J. DAWKINS ROSA JONES MATTHEW J. DAWKINS JOHNNIE LOWERY ANGELIQUE DAWKINS-STINSON SHIRLYON MCWHORTER NIKKI BAKER DR. DOROTHY BENDROSS-MINDINGALL STEPHAINE BROMFIELD TISHRIA L. MINDINGALL DR. BARBARA CAREY SHULER MELBA ROSE THETA SHIPP

SPECIAL THANKS IKE WOODS, PHOTOGRAPHER NIKKI BAKER, SUPERFLYERS GRAPHICS MARYEL EPPS, VOCALIST ROBERT NEWKIRK, VIDEOGRAPHY MATTIE’S HOUSE OF SOUL, CATERER DANITA JACKSON (SOUTHERN COTURE EVENTS) VILMA DIAZ-NEDA – PROMOTIONSROCK ICE AND FRUIT FOR ICE SCULPTURE KAREN LESTER, SLIDE SHOW