In its second year, the Pine Bluff Branch of the National Association of University Women’s PROUD Project again presented backpacks, school supplies, toothbrushes/paste, etc., to the Jefferson County Department of Human Services/Division of Children and Family Services.
An ongoing project, the BSP (Basic Primary School needs for Pre-School thru 6th grade level students) segment of PROUD will “assist” the agency with children’s basic school supply needs while involving the Pine Bluff branch in more community service projects. Branch members support this project by being responsible for at least one filled backpack per school semester. Backpacks are presented to the agency at the beginning of each semester. PROUD (Providing basic services and Reaching out to others Observing and assessing the Unique and varied abilities and Disabilities of those in need of services) is to also provide basic tutoring/mentoring on an as-needed basis.
On-hand for the presentation made to DCFS County Supervisor Dionne Walton and staff was Sharon Nicholson, committee chair, and Earnestine Grant, committee member and branch Woman of the Year. Other members of the committee are Mary Brentley, Dovie Burl, Erma Carter, Pamela Johnson, Etta Kuykendall, Adora Nicholson, Eunita Seals, Mary Tripplett, Varnell Wallace and Bettye J. Williams.
The National Association of University Women, formerly known as the College Alumnae Club, was organized in 1910 by Mary Church Terrell, Sara Brown, Fairfax Brown and Mary Cromwell in Washington, D.C. In 1945, Katie Jackson Pierre organized the Pine Bluff Branch of NAUW on the campus of AM&N College, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Jewell Walker currently serves the branch as president.
