The Orangeburg Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association held its 25th annual Business Associate Awards Banquet on June 9 in the Evans Walnut Room, Washington Dining Hall, on the campus of South Carolina State University.

The banquet is held to honor outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the community by the club’s members and especially to recognize other persons dedicated to serving mankind and making the Orangeburg community and surrounding areas the best they can be. The theme this year was “Making a Professional Mark.”

ABWA is a national organization with a membership of more than 400,000 women employed in diverse professions and levels of business. The national organization was established in 1949 and its mission is to unite working women of diverse backgrounds to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally.

The ABWA National Association and its local affiliates have donated more than $11 million in scholarship funds to millions of women. The Orangeburg chapter has been a viable part of the Bamberg, Calhoun, and Orangeburg communities since February 1981. Among its activities are donations of more than $10,000 in scholarship funds to assist local high school graduates and working women desiring to further their education; voluntary assistance to elderly to provide needed materials and services for less-fortunate families, especially children; as well as active participation in business, political and church-related activities. All activities are financed by several fund-raising activities held each fiscal year.

This year each chapter member was asked to sponsor someone outstanding in their daily lives as an honoree. Eight persons were honored with a plaque, dinner and assorted other gifts. They are:

Lawanda Williams, care-giver practitioner, sponsored by Dr. Yvonne Johnson.

Shirley Britt, care-giver practitioner, sponsored by Pam Britt-Jones.

Mary Frazier Rhodes, Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Testing Center director and manager of Professional Hair Performance Beauty Shop, sponsored by L. Ophelia Montgomery.

Paulette Nicholson, math instructor at Voorhees College, sponsored by Carrie M. Nicholson.

Dr. Bessie D. Cooke (in absentia), SCSU instructor, sponsored by Arminta Owens.

Sharon Gathers, teacher at Marshall Elementary School, sponsored by Glenda Owens, owner/operator of Linda’s Awards and Gifts.

Linda Simpson, owner/operator of Linda’s Awards and Gifts, sponsored by Lottie Owens.

Macon Gardner, directress of Andrew Chapel Christian Academy, sponsored by Sarah Rhodes.

The current out-going president, Tressie Brooker, and Wilhelmenia Jenkins, the immediate past president, received the presidential pins from national. Lottie Owens received the coveted Inner Circle Star pin desired by all members as it is awarded by national to persons recruiting 23 members. Certificates of appreciation were given to all active members as well as other recognition.

The scholarship recipient this year is Chaquitia C. Hampton, a graduate from the Technology Center in Orangeburg County Consolidated School District 5. She was recommended by counselor Hazel Rickenbacker. Chaquitia’s guardian is Michelle Glover. Mistress of ceremonies was Lottie Owens.

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