A major political club in Brooklyn on Sunday conferred special Women’s History Month honors on 14 outstanding women at a gala ceremony in Brooklyn on Sunday, April 19.
The Brooklyn-based Progressive Democratic Political Association (PDPA) – headed by trailblazing former New York City Councilwoman, Jamaican-born Dr. Una S.T. Clarke – bestowed the honors Sunday during its annual “Women Celebrating Women” ceremony at Tropical Paradise Ballroom on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn.
The distinguished honorees of 2015 were: Rodgeria Augustine, Michelle Danvers-Foust, Nyree Dixon, Dr. Sharon Downer, Sharron Sewell-Fairman, Karen Gamba, Rosetta Hancle, Dr. Patricia Haggler, Dr. Lois King, Desma Dofflyn King, Bosede Otulaja, Ann Johnson-Richmond, Angela Sealy and Helen Walker.
The sell-out event was attended by virtually Who’s Who in Brooklyn politics, including Brooklyn Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, an executive member of the club and daughter of the club’s president Dr. Clarke.
For the past 22 years, PDP has been honoring women who represent a “broad cross-section of professionals” in the community, who give “exemplary service,” the elder Clarke, the first Caribbean-born woman to be elected to the New York City Council, told the four-hour-long ceremony.
“As a political organization that strives to propel our community to its higher ideals and involvement in the politics of our community, we seek to identify and support candidates with our values – to add our voice to the debate that is important to bring about social and political change for people,” she added.
“Progressive Democrats have always sought to be the voice for the voiceless and to be the face of the faceless,” Clarke continued. “We continue to advocate for quality education, accessible healthcare and economic opportunities for all.”
About the Honorees
Grenadian-born Augustine has been a nurse for 20 years, working in hospitals, nursing homes and clinics in New York City and Long Island.
Danvers Foust is the director of Trio Pre-Collegiate Programs on the campus of Bronx Community College.
Dixon is currently the principal of Dr. Jacqueline Peek-Davis Elementary School, P.S. 12, in Oceanhill, Brownsville in Brooklyn.
The Rev. Dr. Downer is associate pastor at Lenox Road Baptist Church in Brooklyn.
Sewell-Fairman is executive director of Workforce Professionals Training Institute.
Gamba is a business development specialist for Herrick, Feinstein LLP in New York City.
Registered Nurse Hancle is the charge nurse on Unit 4B, Rose Garden Grove.
The Rev. Dr. Haggler is associate pastor of Antioch Baptist Church of Corona, dean of Antioch Bible Institute and Adjunct Professor at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn.
Dr. Lois King is registrar and assistant director for marketing at Northeast Evangelism Training School, and director of Ministerial Spouses Association and Women’s Ministries of the Atlantic Union Conference.
Registered Nurse Desma Dofflyn King worked at the Visiting Nurses Association of New York. She has been a nurse for over 44 years.
Otulaja is known as “iya ewe” – the mother of all children at the Deeper Life Bible Church in Queens and in the community.
Richmond is a daycare provider and nurse. She’s currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Medgar Evers College.
Sealy is treasurer and board member of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association.
Walker retired last year after almost a century in banking in the United States and Canada.
