Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. wbwpc.org
A historical and pictorial update on the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc.
Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. Countywide President
Greetings and Welcome to our NEW Website! I sincerely hope that this finds everyone safe and well as we continue our journey through the unknown world that is COVID and, hopefully post-COVID. Traditionally a new year is a time when we reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. It’s a time when we perhaps set some resolutions for the near or long term. As we face economic uncertainty and the most divisive political climate in living memory, we have a larger, more encompassing problem, we have an empathy deficit. Empathy is the ability and willingness to open our minds to the perspectives of others, and is more than a soft skill. It’s the foundation of human relationships. When you empathize with others you are happier and kinder, and that my friends is our 2024 focus. It’s inherent in our human nature, we can strengthen our empathy and make a social impact that will be felt in our homes, communities and across the nation. I cannot tell you exactly what 2024 might look like, let alone 2025 or 2026, but what I can tell you is that at Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus we are here for that long term and will be trying our best to work with all of you that align with our goals and objectives, and to meet the changing demands of our world. SUBOMI MACAULAY I want to recognize our Executive Board and entire membership for their dedication to this incredible journey. Together, aligned to our vision, we have raised our visibility and with you our friends and supporters we have put our footprints in the sand. Thank you for joining us today as we continue the mission of our founding members and uplift black women into political offices here in New York and everywhere in the world. Enjoy! Subomi Macaulay 16th Countywide President WBWPC
Westchester Black Women’sPolitical Caucus, Inc. Post Office Box 213 • Elmsford, New York 10523 www.wbwpc.org
Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. Alice C. Scott, Founder & First President
A personal reflection from the Founder of the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus with community organizations, The Westchester Black Womsocial justice, and the chalen’s Political Caucus was my lenges of analyzing legislative vision borne out of my need for issues. African-Americans identificaMy deepest heartfelt gratition of the racism that exits in tude is when WE climb the ladWestchester County at all levels der of success. We need more of political and government millionaires and billionaires. I activities particularly, at the met Earl Graves when he and decision making levels. I was Robert Kennedy came to Long driven by the need to organize Beach, New York and cama coalition of African-Amerpaigned for John F. Kennedy. I ican women from all backremember when Bruce Lewegrounds who could identify lyn used to make up the sodas with the problems and begin a and sundaes in his father’s process of taking their rightful store on Brookfield Street. A place of self-determination and special thank you to Richard L. leadership. I prayed hard before Ottinger who first said to me taking this giant step. “Freedom is not free and if you No African-American Westwant justice and equality it will cheterite should say that we not be handed to you.” have made it as long as there My involvement with Nais poverty. homelessness, and poleon Holmes was walking criminal justice in our commuthe streets for unjust hiring nities. I, Alice Coles Scott, am a practices and I was always aclifetime resident of Westchester ALICE C. SCOTT companied by my beloved May and I love this County. I love Morgan Robinson. We demonthe life I have been afforded by living here despite my economic status. strated against Yonkers injustice. My mother, Elizabeth and father’s roots are in Virginia (specifiIt may have been around the time I met and employed Cheryl cally, Chatham). While growing up in White Plains, I went to the Brannan. Cheryl, then told me she planned to attend Brown UniUrban League on Grove Street for piano lessons and the NAACP versity. It all seemed like yesterday. There are so many people, which my mother attended. I attended Sunday School at Calsuch as The Redds (Orial & M. Paul) who have been a part of my vary Baptist Church on Brookfield Street and played the organ life for so long. I am thankful for the support I have been given for all the choirs, the weddings, and funerals. I thank my mother and blessed with throughout the years. God bless all of you who for teaching me self-discipline and focus. I was blessed to have have kept the faith and vision to overcome, and may GOD bless graduated from Battle Hill Elementary School, White Plains High the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus. Stay the course! School, Westchester Community College, New York University, and finally, Antioch Graduate School. Love, I have worked for a living in Washington, DC, Houston, Texas, Biloxi, Mississippi, and Atlanta, Georgia. I was always involved Alice C. Scott
Westchester Black Women’sPolitical Caucus, Inc. Post Office Box 213 • Elmsford, New York 10523 www.wbwpc.org
Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. Joan Mosley, Esq., Co-Founder
A personal perspective on the formation of the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus siblings and myself were raging The Westchester Black Wommad. I seriously contemplated en’s Political Caucus was formed self-help as a means of resolvout of the notion, widely held, ing this issue. But I awakened to but not implemented, that Black what my fallen brother would Women should play a greater have wanted and what my Chrisrole in Westchester politics. It tian upbringing and common was the culmination of this idea, sense demanded. It was at that long held by Alice Scott, germipoint my family successfully nated by my organizational and launched a campaign against Decreative skills, that gave birth to troit’s Police Department impelthe Westchester Black Women’s ling a prosecution. That experiPolitical Caucus. Alice and I ence taught me in principle what met at the national office of the I already knew in deed – i.e., how National Association for the to take negative and destructive Advancement of Colored People, energy and channel it construcwhere we both worked; she, as tively. It was what energized my an intern under June Shagaloff in response to Alice Scott. Yes, I the Education Department and I, would help her in this cause. as an assistant counsel in the LeThe first meeting of the Caugal Department run by Robert L. cus took place at my home at 19 Carter. We would lunch together Stonewall Circle in Greenburgh, frequently. New York after Alice and I had I recall, almost as if it were engaged in weeks of thinking yesterday, Alice’s coming to me and planning. I believe there and proclaiming her dream to were about 30 to 40 people who build an organization, and asking showed up. Those present befor my help to make it a realJOAN MOSLEY, Esq. came founding members of the ity. I had always been politically Westchester Black Women’s Podriven, powered by a keen sense of justice. Political science was my undergraduate major at Wayne litical Caucus. They included that great political leader May Morgan State University in Detroit, Michigan. It was what made me sit at Robinson and her two daughters Joanne and Roberta, Ethel Harmon, Woolworth’s luncheon counters, in downtown Detroit, tamely mimPauline Flippen, Orial Redd, and many others, all notable, but too icking the brave efforts of our southern counterparts in the sixties. It numerous to name. At its inception, the Caucus was conceived as a was what motivated me to become the first black student at Wayne vehicle to launch and elect black political candidates, with an emUniversity to usher in flaunting natural hair, as opposed to viewing phasis on women, and propagated significant political points of view it as shameful. It was what moved me to join the Peace Corps in the impacting Black folk. Fall of 1961, after I graduated from law school and had taken the bar. The truism that “all politics is local” dictated the structure of the I served at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka most of the period from Caucus. The caucus needed units to make it possible to run candi1961 – 1964. This enabled me – apart from the teaching services I dates electable from towns, cities and the county, etc. The caucus also provided – to experience first hand the political dynamism taking required a strong central organization to guide and direct the mulplace on the African continent. It was what made me work summers tiple units towards the stated objectives. These principles were all inin Mississippi and Louisiana doing voter registration. It was also what cluded in the Caucus’ first constitution and by-laws, which I drafted, fueled my involvement with the Republic of New Africa, a Black sepa- consistent with the input of membership. I think back with amuseratist organization that emerged in the mid sixties out of Detroit led ment on some of the names we considered, such as “hives” to identify by the Henry brothers. the Caucus’ local units. My co-founding of the Caucus came at a critical point in my personal life. My oldest brother had been murdered recently in Detroit Be well! Be strong! and no one was prosecuted for the crime. My family – most of them by then in California – including my mother, and all of my eight Joan Mosley, Esq.,
Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus Timeline of Presidents
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, Esq. (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 Johnson 2010-2014
Ronnie Cox (MV) 2014-2016
Jewel Williams Johnson 2016-2021
Subomi Macaulay (Y) 2021-2024
Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. Executive Board (2022-2024)
Subomi Macaulay President
Nicole Benjamin, JD 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
Hon. Jewel Williams Johnson Immediaie Past President
Hon. 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
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)
Left to right: Then President Sandra Blackwell (1981-1984) and Claudett Stothart (1995-1996) pose with U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY) during the 1981 Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference in the nationa’s capital.
A Black Woman’s Dream By Sandra T. Blackwell
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 witnesses. 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. Lionsgate Studios Tour, Yonkers, New York (2023)
Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc.
Hon. Symra Brandon Appointed to Westchester County Board of Legislators (2023)
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, Inc. Congressional Black Caucus Gala (2022)
Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. Greater Peekskill Area Chapter Christmas Dinner (2023)
Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. Albany Legislative Breakfast (2018)
Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. Power Circle/Eliot Engel Fundraiser