Charter and Installation Ceremony History

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Chesterfield Metro Area Section Charter founders, charter members, distinguished guests, and

supporters all gathered virtually and in person on January 15, 2022, for the official officer

installation ceremony. The occasion marked another NCNW (National Council of Negro

Women) section added to a growing list, throughout the US. A total of thirty-six charter members

participated virtually or in person. The Chesterfield Metro Area Section (CMAS) of NCNW

includes the areas of Chesterfield, Charles City, Amelia, New Kent, Powhatan, and Hopewell.

NCNW national headquarters had already granted the new section, their official charter on

September 21, 2021, however, this was deemed a necessary part of this process. The event was

held at Providence United Methodist Church, 901 South Providence Road, North Chesterfield,

Virginia, where Senior Pastor, Rev. Derrick Parson, gave the invocation. Charles City County

Administrator, Michelle Johnson, who was the Mistress of Ceremony kept the program moving

from the beginning to the end.

CMAS Founders Carolyn Harrington, Linda Banks, Jane Harris, and Angela Porter had the vision

and passion to organize and plan the new section over a year ago. Chair of the Chesterfield

Board of Supervisors, James “Jim” Holland presented an impassioned greeting and congratulated

the chartering members for being part of history. Directed by Holland, participants, wearing all

black, a purple and white corsage, and strands of pearls, rose to their feet and received a loud

applause. Guest speaker, Dr. Alicia Smith-Freshwater, Chief Biomedical Engineer for the VA-Mid-

Atlantic Health Care Network chose the theme of the ceremony, “Accelerating the Cause For

Change” as the topic of her presentation.

Elected officers, followed by remaining charter members, repeated, “I will” to the NCNW oath

given by Janelle S. Wilson, Ed.D, Dean, School of Professional and Continuing Studies, University

of Richmond. Marilyn Powell-Godette, NCNW National Member At-Large and former North

Carolina NCNW State Co-Convener spoke about the charge via Zoom. Members present

received their official charter and certificate from Cypriana McCray, President of the Reston-Dulles

Section of NCNW. CMAS activated COVID-19 protocols in advance of the ceremony. NCNW,

founded by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, aims to lead, advocate for, and empower women of

African descent, their families, and their communities.