Berkeley

Oakland NAACP Hosts Phenomenal Women Awards

Published

7 years ago

March 30, 2018

NAACP celebrates phenomenal women of the community at the African American Museum and Library of Oakland. Front row, from left to right: Allie Whitehurst, Chairperson; Honorees: Lisa Landry, Lucella Harrison, Doris Limbrick; Middle row: Cynthia Adams, NAACP 2nd Vice President, Honorees: Robin Thomas, Dominica Maggard, Alicia Murphy, Robyn Fisher, Gay Cobb, Joyce Gordon, Patrice Waugh, Electra Kimble Price (not shown); Back row: Lisa Landry, Co-Chairperson, Reverend Dr. Jacquelyn Thompson, MC. Photo by Paul Cobb.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Women’s Committee of the Oakland NAACP celebrated several generations of women leaders at the African American Museum and Library in Oakland Saturday, March 24. The Phenomenal Women Awards program honored 14 women, three posthumously.

Chief Executive Director of the Oakland Private Industry Council, Inc. (PIC), Gay Plair Cobb, was honored for her 35 years of activism in Oakland. Cobb spoke of her interactions with Martin Luther King, Jr. and hopes that sometime soon the world will not have to be reminded that “Black Lives Matter.” Cobb participated in the historic freedom rides leading to the desegregation of lunch counters.

Joyce Gordon, owner of Joyce Gordon Gallery spoke of wanting to ensure Black people have a space to showcase their talent. Through her non-profit she nurtures young artists. “I now focus on programs for the youth to cultivate their creativity,” she said.

Educator Lucella Thomas Harrison served Oakland for 36 years as teacher, administrator for Cole Elementary School and an office administrator for the Oakland Unified School District. She also served on the Oakland School Board for District 3.

Dr. Doris Limbrick, senior associate pastor of Acts Full Gospel Church of God in Christ spoke of what a joy it has been to serve her community with her brother, Bob Jackson, pastor of Acts Full Gospel Church. She now serves women with her GirlTalk Ministry. “It is important to hold spaces for women to come together as Christian women in and outside of the church,” she said.

Electra Kimble Price, who worked for the Oakland Unified School District’s Superintendent’s office, was honored for her commitment to youth and education. Dr. Robyn Fisher, president of R.T. Fisher Enterprises, was recognized for her work in preparing students for college. Lisa Landry, founder of the Oakland Homegrown Project, was awarded for her mission of supporting underprivileged youth.

For her support of single parents raising children, Alicia Murphy was honored. Murphy’s favorite scripture is; Proverbs 3: 5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Howard University graduate Robin Thomas was one of the first Black nurses with a BSN degree to work for Doctors Hospital in Pinole. Thomas was recognized for her commitment to public health.

Dominica Zone Maggard, of LifeLong Medical Care was honored for her dedication to improving the disparities in healthcare. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work.

Patricia Waugh, founder of Bright Star Residential Care Home was awarded for her work with developmentally and mentally challenged patients in Oakland. Community advocate Allie Whitehurst was surprised with a recognition for her continued support and excellence in the areas of education and civil rights.

Legacy honorees included Marcella Ford, Tarea (Ty) Hall Pittman and Lillian Potts. Educator Marcella Ford lived to be 100 years old and was recognized as one of the contributing founders of the African American Museum and Library of Oakland.

Community activist, Tarea (Ty) Hall Pittman was active in the NAACP and organized protests to force war industries to hire African American Workers during World War II.
She lived to be 88 years of age and the South Branch Library in Berkeley was named in her honor in 2015.

Berkeley Victory Democratic Club leader and Civil Rights activist, Lillian Potts lived to be 92. During her lifetime she was an active member of the NAACP and sponsored the youth programs for five years.

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Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley Celebrates 90th Anniversary

Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., who has served as Progressive Missionary’s pastor since September 1977, said the church also delights in the fact that it has hosted only five pastors in its 90-year history, including Pastors James E. Moore, H. A. Green, F. Douglas Farrell, and Edward Stovall, who served for 37 years.

Published

1 month ago

May 16, 2025

Oakland Post

Progressive Missionary Baptist Poster. Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., Pastor of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Berkeley with his wife, Kay Frances Stuckey.

By Oakland Post Staff

The Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley is celebrating its 90th church anniversary on Sunday, May 18 at 10 a.m. at 3301 King Street in Berkeley.

The celebration will feature Pastor Darnell Manuel of the Union Baptist Church in Vallejo as guest speaker, along with many other special presentations.

Those who wish to share in Progressive’s history can purchase a 100-page full-colored souvenir book for $25.

The church boasts a number of notable people who either regularly attended or became members of the church since its inception, including former Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, Oakland mayoral candidate Loren Taylor, and one of the organizers of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Helen J. H. Stephens.

Pastor Stuckey often remarks how longevity flourishes at the church — it boasts 13 centenarians (people who have reached 100 years or more). Currently, it has one centenarian who is still surviving, Mrs. Dorothy Chambers, and 14 members who have reached 90 years or more.

Recently, on Feb.17, the pastor and his wife Kay Frances, celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary.

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Activism

Faces Around the Bay: Author Karen Lewis Took the ‘Detour to Straight Street’

“My life has been a roller-coaster with an unlimited ride wristband! I was raised in Berkeley during the time of Ron Dellums, the Black Panthers, and People’s Park. I was a Hippie kid, my Auntie cut off all our hair so we could wear the natural styles like her and Angela Davis.

Published

2 months ago

April 28, 2025

Oakland Post

Karen Lewis. Courtesy photo.

By Barbara Fluhrer

I met Karen Lewis on a park bench in Berkeley. She wrote her story on the spot.

I got married young, then ended up getting divorced, raising two boys into men. After my divorce, I had a stroke that left me blind and paralyzed. I was homeless, lost in a fog with blurred vision.

Jesus healed me! I now have two beautiful grandkids. At 61, this age and this stage, I am finally free indeed. Our Lord Jesus Christ saved my soul. I now know how to be still. I lay at his feet. I surrender and just rest. My life and every step on my path have already been ordered. So, I have learned in this life…it’s nice to be nice. No stressing, just blessings. Pray for the best and deal with the rest.

Nobody is perfect, so forgive quickly and love easily!”

Lewis’ book “Detour to Straight Street” is available on Amazon.

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Activism

Golden State Warriors Program Is Inspiring Next Generation of Female Engineers

Breaking down barriers and biases that deter young girls from pursuing STEAM subjects is essential for creating a level playing field and ensuring equal opportunities for all. By challenging stereotypes and promoting a culture of inclusivity and diversity in STEAM fields, experts believe young girls can be empowered to pursue their interests and aspirations without limitations confidently. Encouraging mentorship, providing access to resources, and celebrating girls’ achievements in STEAM are all crucial steps in creating a supportive environment that fosters success.

Published

3 months ago

March 23, 2025

Oakland Post

Front Row: UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team Back Row: Girls, Inc. Participants. Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

The Golden State Warriors and e-commerce giant Rakuten are joining forces to inspire the next generation of female engineers through Building STEAM Futures, part of The City Calls campaign.

Organizers say the initiative is founded on the idea that science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) are crucial fields for innovation and progress, and empowering young girls to pursue careers in these areas is more important than ever. Studies consistently show that girls are underrepresented in STEAM fields, resulting in a gender disparity that limits potential and hinders diversity.

On Saturday, March 8, International Women’s Day, the Warriors and Rakuten hosted 20 middle school girls from Girls Inc. of Alameda County at Chase Center’s Above the Rim for a hands-on bridge-building experience. The young girls from Girls, Inc. of Alameda County had an opportunity to design, build and test their own bridge prototypes and learn the fundamentals of bridge construction from the Engineering Alliance and the UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team.

This STEAM experience for the girls followed the first session in January, where they took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, learning about its design and construction from industry experts. The City Calls campaign, tipped off with the unveiling the Warriors’ new bridge-themed City Edition jerseys and court design earlier this year.