WBWPC First Draft

Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. wbwpc.org

An historical and pictorial update on the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc.

Welcome to the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc.

WEBSITE

Contact Us: wbwpc.org Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. Post Office Box 123, Elmsford, New York 10523

Subomi Macaulay

Countywide President

Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. Countywide President

Thank you and welcome to the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc.’s website. The WBWPC is the only organization in Westchester County with a mission to “encourage the greater participation of Black women in all phases of the political process and to project, pursue and support causes and issues which or persons who advance the socio-economic and political position of women and minorities.”

We currently have six chapters throughout the county, so as you look at our website, you’ll see our members participating in the political arena from our Greater Bedford, Greater Peekskill Area, Greenburgh/White Plains, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, and Yonkers chapters. We have members already serving in state, county, and local elected and appointed executive, legislative, and judicial positions. Our goal is to continue to increase our ranks in the halls of power.

I am very proud to serve as president of the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. at this time.

Subomi Macaulay (2021- present) Countywide President

Meet the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. Executive Board

Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. Executive Board (2022-2024)

Subomi Macaulay President

Nicole Benjamin, Esq. First Vice President

Crystal Collins Second Vice President

Erica Alexander Recording Secretary

Latesha Stapleton President, Greater Bedford

MaryAnn Carr Director, Greater Bedford

Nora Boggs President, Greater Peekskill Area

Keturah Hadley Director Greater Peekskill Area

Jean Anderson President, New Rochelle

The Rev. Dr. L’ Judie Matt Simmons Director, New Rochelle

Dorothy Botsoe Parliamentarian

Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. Executive Board (2022-2024)

Dr. Vivian Salmon Corresponding Secretary

Tajian Nelson Treasurer

Chrystalia King, Esq. Financial Secretary

Jewel Williams Johnson Immediaie Past President

Lisa Marie Nero President, Greenburgh/WP

Onolder “O.J.” Yizar Director, Greenburgh/WP

Danielle Jackson President, Mount Vernon

Diane Atkins Director, Mount Vernon

Charlotte Vinson President, Yonkers

Hon. Symra Brandon Director, Yonkers

Charlene Blackwood Sergeant-at-Arms

Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. Founders

A Black Woman’s Dream

ALICE C. SCOTT

Vivian McKenzie, Lakisha Bellamy, Corazon Paneda-Isaac, Shanae Williams, Tasha Freeman-Diaz, Danielle Browne, Esq., Gabrielle Hamilton, or Stephanie McClaine, may not know or have ever heard of the late Alice C. Scott of Mount Vernon, but they are surely “living out her dream.”

In 1976, Alice’s dream, the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, was born and Alice C. Scott served as its first president. Attorney Joan Mosley and Alice Scott, the co-founders, drafted the bylaws and structure for the new organization. Under Scott’s watchful eye, the county organization served as the hub and set up chapters in Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Greenburgh/White Plains, and Peekskill.

The good news spread countywide without ONE cell phone. The attendance doubled at each new meeting bringing women from all corners of the county together every month. Alice Scott, Joan Horton, Carole Morris, Ruth Thompson, (Mount Vernon); Joan Mosley, Esq. (Greenburgh); Orial Redd (Rye); Mae “Mom” Robinson, her twins, Joanne and Roberta, Ethel Harmon, Rose Taylor, Jeanette Ray, and Cheryl Brannan (Yonkers); Bernadine McWilliams, Annie Johnson, Leola Gaines, Vera McCorvey, Ruth Tibbs, and Eugenia Hayes (Peekskill); Annie Grant (Yorktown), Gwendolyn Lynch, Alfreda Williams, Eddie Mae Barnes, Bernice Burton, Lois Bronz, Mae Kyle Jones, Marion Young, Lucille Gray and Irene Lane, (Greenburgh); Pearl C. Quarles, Ilza Williams, Rhoda Quash, Audrey and Geraldine Clark, (New Rochelle) and a few others.

Since its inception, the mission of the Caucus has held steadfast – to encourage greater participation of black women in all phases of the political process and to project, pursue and support causes and issues which or persons who advance the socio-economic and political position of women and minorities. Lois T. Bronz was the only member who had been elected to office before the organization was formally organized. Lois was first elected to the Greenburgh Town Council in 1976.

The Caucus collaborated with other community groups like the Black Democrats of Westchester, the Black Republicans and the NAACP, and

JOAN MOSLEY, Esq.

brought in experts who offered workshops on 1) How to run for office, 2) Setting up a campaign committee, 3) Public speaking, 4) Studying/debating the issues 5) Writing a campaign platform, 6) How to campaign, 7) Raising campaign funds, 8) Getting the nomination and getting on the ballot, 9) Registering voters and 10) Getting out the vote.

Over the years, more and more members tossed their hats into the political ring. Soon we started to see the fruits of our labor.

We are reminded from whence we came as we witness the different swearing-in ceremonies this January 2022, and that we have to keep our eye on the ball. Politics is not for the faint at heart.

Our newly elected officials will need our support at these city, village and town board meetings. We, the members, have to attend our respective board meetings so we can be in the room when the decisions are made about our communities. We must speak up. And, our new elected officials have to let us know when they need us to show up and be supportive.

Sometimes, we just need to be there as a witness.

The Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. meets monthly and our President Subomi Macaulay always makes room on the agenda for elected officials. We urge you to form a bond with the other women who are serving in similar positions and to share your experiences and expertise so that as you grow, learn, and climb, you can light the path for another sister.

Alice C. Scott is very pleased with the progress we have made, but Alice always looked ahead. And, we have to do that, too.

I know from whence I came. I served as the second countywide president after Alice. I also ran for office twice, and even though I was not victorious, I was happy that I was a member of the Caucus and I had a soft place to fall when the road was bumpy. The Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. is greater than any one of us and it needs all of us to survive.

This article, “A Black Woman’s Dream,” was written by Sandra T. Blackwell and published in The Westchester County Press in the January 6, 2022 edition.

Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. Past Presidents & Current President CHAPTERS Greater Bedford (B) Greater Peekskill Area (P) Greenburgh/White Plains (GB/WP) Mount Vernon (MV) New Rochelle (NR) Yonkers (Y)

Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus Former Presidents & Current President

Alice C. Scott (MV) 1976-1981

Sandra Blackwell (P) 1981-1984

Cheryl Brannan (Y) 1984-1988

Pearl C. Quarles (NR) 1988-1992

Sheila Morris (Y) 1992-1994

Barbara Shealy (Y) 1994-1995

Claudett Stothart (P) 1995-1996

Geraldine King (GB/WP) 1996-2000

Claudette King (NR) 2000-2002

Mary Cheek (GB/WP 2002-2003

Amanda Haynes (GB/WP) 2003-2008

Mae Williams (Y) 2008-2010

Jewel Williams (GB/WP) 2010-2014

Ronnie Cox (MV) 2014-2016

Jewel Johnson (GB/WP 2016-2021

Subomi Macaulay (Y) 2021-2024

WBWPC general membership meeting at Theodore Young Community Center. Left to right: Eddie Mae Barnes, Ruth Thompson, Ruth Tibbs, and Founder and First President, Alice C. Scott. (1983)

Members of the WBWPC host a reception in Albany in February 1984 during the NYS Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus Weekend. From left to right: Mae Morgan “Mom” Robinson, daughter Joanne, Annie Johnson, Peekskill president, Alice C. Scott, Vivian Hunter (MV), the Hon. M. Paul Redd and Mom Robinson.

In 1988, under President Cheryl Brannan, the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. endorsed and hosted a campaign stop in Westchester for the Reverend Jesse Jackson, during his historic run for president of the United States. From left to right: Sheila Morris, Loretta Taylor, Claudett Stothart, Rev. Jackson, Eddie Mae Barnes, and Ilza Williams.

President Sandra Blackwell chairing the general membership meeting at TYCC in Greenburgh. Officers at the front table, left to right: Pearl C. Quarles, treasurer, Cheryl Brannan, vice president, and Carole J. Morris, secretary. Ron Tocci, candidate for Greenvurgh supervisor addressed the members. (1983)

Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. 2023 Election Results

Election Day 2023 – WINNERS!!!

Results from the Board of Elections

By Sandra T. Blackwell

County Legislator - District 8 Jewel Williams Johnson Totals 6,574 100%

HON. SHANAE V. WILLIAMS Yonkers City Council – District 1

ELECTED! County Board of Legislators

HON. TERRY A. CLEMENTS County Legislator – District 11

RE-ELECTED! County Board of Legislators

HON. J. WILLIAMS JOHNSON County Legislator – District 8

RE-ELECTED! County Board of Legislators

County Legislator - District 11 Terry Clements 5,111 60% John T Hynes 3,301 38% John T Hynes 172 2% Hynes Totals 3,473 40% Office Totals 8,584 100% County Legislator - District 16 Shanae Williams 3,415 56% Debbie Kozak 1,931 32% Debbie Kozak 339 6% Kozak Totals 2,270 37% Christopher Johnson 370 6% Office Totals 6,055 100% MAYORAL RACE New Rochelle Yadira Ramos-Herbert 6,976 53%

Yadira Ramos-Herbert 415 3% Yadira Ramos-Herbert

Totals 7,391 56% Louis J Trangucci 5,550 42% Louis J Trangucci 288 2% Louis J Trangucci

Totals 5,838 44% Office Totals 13,229 100% HON. YADIRA HERBERT

HON. VIVIAN McKENZIE

HON. SHAWYN P. HOWARD

ELECTED! Mayor of New Rochelle

RE-ELECTED! Mayor of Peekskill

RE-ELECTED! Mayor of Mount Vernon

Member, New Rochelle City Council

Mayor, City of Peekskill

Mayor, City of Mount Vernon

MAYORAL RACE Peekskill Vivian McKenzie Office Totals

2,500 100% 2,500 100%

MAYORAL RACE Mount Vernon Shawyn P Howard 4,947 Shawyn P Howard 282 Shawyn P Howard

Totals 5,229 Office Totals 5,229

95% 5% 100% 100%

LOCAL JUDGE City of Mount Vernon Tamika A Coverdale 5,095 100% Office Totals 5,095 100% HON. TAMIKA COVERDALE Mount Vernon City Court Judge

ELECTED! Mount Vernon City Court

HON. DELORES BRATHWAITE Greenburgh Town Court Judge

RE-ELECTED! Greenburgh Town Court

HON. KAREN BELTRAN Yonkers City Court Judge

ELECTED! Yonkers City Court

LOCAL JUDGE Town of Greenburgh Delores Brathwaite Office Totals

13,824 100% 13,824 100%

Election Day 2023 – WINNERS!!!

LOCAL JUDGE City of Yonkers Arthur J Doran III 12,527 Arthur J Doran III 2,215 Arthur J Doran III Totals 14,742 Karen T Beltran 12,745 Karen T Beltran 2,258 Karen T Beltran Totals 15,003 Nicholas Speranza 10,317 Office Totals 40,062

31% 6% 37% 32% 6% 37% 26% 100%

TOWN COUNCIL RACE Greenburgh (Vote for 2) Gina R Jackson Gina R Jackson Jackson Totals Beatrice J Haber Manni Areces Office Totals

11,825 42% 1,571 6% 13,396 48% 12,313 44% 2,325 8% 28,034 100%

HON. GINA JACKSON Greenburgh Council Member

LISA MARIE NERO Union Exec VP

JOYCE C. WHITE Hospital Liaison

RE-ELECTED! Greenburgh Town Council

ELECTED! Greenburgh Town Clerk

ELECTED! Cortlandt Town Board

NAMASHA SCHELLING Co-Chair, Human Rights Comm.

HON. VICTORIA TIPP, Esq. Councilmember, Deputy Supervisor

HON. TASHA DIAZ Yonkers City Council Member

DEANA ROBINSON Staff for Shanae Williams

HON.OMAYRA ANDINO Mayor, Village of Tuckahoe

TOWN COUNCIL RACE Cortlandt (Vote for 2) Robert E Mayes Robert E Mayes Mayes Totals Joyce C White Joyce C White White Totals George C Pappas George C Pappas Pappas Totals Ryan Mulcahy Ryan Mulcahy Mulcahy Totals Office Totals

4,962 26% 631 3% 5,593 30% 4,898 26% 620 3% 5,518 29% 3,789 20% 155 1% 3,944 21% 3,424 18% 289 2% 3,713 20% 18,768 100%

TOWN COUNCIL RACE Pound Ridge (Vote for 2) Alison Boak Namasha Shelling Cynthia L Shereda Susan L Lee Christopher Boey Office Totals

946 26% 879 24% 440 12% 703 19% 702 19% 3,670 100%

CITY COUNCIL RACE Yonkers - District 1 Deana Robinson Shatika Parker Office Totals

2,406 83% 491 17% 2,897 100%

CITY COUNCIL RACE Yonkers - District 3 Tasha Diaz Hector Santiago Office Totals

1,530 80% 372 20% 1,902 100%

ELECTED! Pound Ridge Town Council

ELECTED! Supervisor Town of New Castle

RE-ELECTED! Yonkers City Council

LOCAL RACE Supervisor of New Castle Victoria B Tipp 2,588 100% Office Totals 2,588 100% LOCAL RACE Mayor, Village of Tuckahoe Omayra Andino Omayra Andino Andino Totals Joseph S Scott

672 357 1,029 793

36% 19% 55% 43%

LOCAL RACE Clerk, Town of Greenburgh Lisa M Nero Judith A Beville Office Totals

12,070 3,103 15,173

80% 20% 100%

ELECTED! Yonkers City Council

RE-ELECTED! Mayor of Tuckahoe

Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus Greater Bedford Chapter, Latesha Stapleton, President

Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus Greater Peekskill Area Chapter, Nora Boggs

Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus Greenburgh/White Plains Chapter, Lisa Nero, President

Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus Mount Vernon Chapter, Danielle Jackson, President

Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus New Rochelle Chapter, Jean Anderson, President

Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus Yonkers Chapter, Charlotte Vinson, President