Nancy Dawkins - 100 Years of Excellence

NANCY DAWKINS OMEGA ACTIVITY CENTER 5600 NW 42nd Avenue Opa Locka F October 7, 2023 Celebrating the 100 Birthday of th

CY SIDNEY DAW

October 11, to Joseph and Viola Sidney in Dania, Flo autiful baby girl Her older siblings, Horace and Jose rms. They all knew she would be special. She grew to be a real beauty an extraordinary spirit in her own skin. She was smart and bossy fraid 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 She then attended Florida A & M University in Tallahassee and Miller joined the Mer Nancy graduated from Florida A & M in 1946 and married Miller October 27, 1952. She 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 th Miami in 1954. In 1953, Nancy gave birth to their one and only child, a son, Myron Jaye Dawkins on December 21, 1953 They would later build a home in the Allapattah area a across from Manor Park (as it was formerly known.) Little did everyone know, includ themselves, that living there would change their lives.

NANCY SIDNEY DAWKINS

ommunity for her work in the field of ed City, Holmes, Charles Drew, Orchard Vil chools and Booker T. Washington Sr. High.

program concept that became the C O P E School served as its first Home and Family Education teacher. onal Specialist at Booker T. Washington. She also taught munity College. She also co-authored the first proposal e New Covenant Presbyterian Church. She impacted the One of those students was Dorothy Mindingall

ter the political arena. They both felt very strongly about or State Representative and was later elected to the on 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 15 years) who helps advise the elderly on their health and insurance needs This as a founder of the Theodore Gibson Oratorical Contest. The first Oratorical d on December 14, 1977 at her school, Booker T. Washington with 21 junior and ol students. As the originator of the Theodore R. Gibson Oratorical Project, she ntion on promoting, supporting, and advocating local, young, African American ak their truths” in an open, competitive forum which led to multiple scholarships s in national oral competitions. She stills attends the Oratorical competitions, held at Miami Dade North Campus.

The Metropolitan Section of th program in her honor in 2019. the founder of NCNW. Young l educational funds to help in th

This Miami activist was also a American Association of Retire was instrumental in organizin 1991 with 525 members for Chap 4 , , 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

Dr, Barbara Carey (County Commissioner), Miller Dawkins (Florida and Xavier Suarez (Miami Mayor, Commissioner), Gwen Cherry (Florida Ho (Florida House, School Board Member), are all glad Nancy worked tirele during their successful campaigns.

She is a member of Mt. Zion AME Church in Dania Beach, FL, where she has received numerous awards for her service to the community, includ Sojourner Truth Award, Dr. Martin Luther King Service Award, US Con numerous other awards and appreciations. At the 2015 District Confere “Strands of Wisdom” golden medallion for her 50 years of service to the Women’s Club. She was recently recognized by Bethune Cookman as ol

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

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

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

d, for the longevity and the legacy of this 100-year-old Phenomenal Women: Nancy .

continues! YearsofExcellence NANCY SIDNEY DAWKINS

Celebrating the 100 Birthday of th

NANCY SIDNEY DAWKINS

PROGRAM

WELCOME

ENTRANCE OF BIRTHDAY GIRL

MATTHEW J. DAWKINS

NANCY DAWKINS

INTRODUCTION OF MISTRESS OF CEREMONY KATHY THURSTON

PRESIDING

PRAYER/INVOCATION

READINGS

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

SHIRLYON MCWHORTER

REV. PAUL R. WIGGINS

DR. DOROTHY BENDROSSMINDINGALL

INTRODUCTION OF HONORED GUESTS

MUSICAL SELECTION

FRIEND IN DEED

VIDEO PRESENTATION

BLESSING OF THE FOOD

MARYEL EPPS

T. WILLIARD FAIR

GWENDOLYN HAYNES EVANS

REV. RICHARD DUNN

LUNCH IS SERVED

EXCELLENCE IN THE FAMILY

MUSICAL SELECTION

EXCELLENCE IN THE COMMUNITY

EXPRESSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

SPECIAL TRIBUTE

REFLECTIONS FROM THE GUEST OF HONOR

BENEDICTION

CLOSING REMARKS

MYLES DAWKINS

DR. BARBARA CAREY-SHULER

NANCY DAWKINS

REV. PAUL R. WIGGINS

LENERE J. DAWKINS

YearsofExcellence

CY 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 AR ANOTHER YEAR IS A HAPPY GIFT SO CUT YOUR CAKE AND SAY “INSTEAD OF COUNTING BIRTHDAY I COUNT BLESSINGS EVERY DAY!”

STEERING COMMITTEE