Board and officers named for Civil Rights group

The Anniversary to Commemorate the Civil Rights Demonstrations, Inc. has announced to Historic City News reporters the selection of its Board of Directors and officers for a two-year term during 2013-2015.

Board member Gwendolyn Duncan acknowledged the hard work of last year’s officers and directors and welcomed new members to the leadership of the local non-profit organization.

Officers:
President, Dalonja Duncan, M.Ed.
Vice President, Cora Tyson
Secretary, Julia Heckendorn
Treasurer, Audrey Willis
Financial Secretary, June Conway

Directors at Large:
Shirley Bryce
Shirley Williams-Collins
Purcell Conway
Elizabeth Duncan
Gwendolyn Duncan
Michael Gallen
Dr. Robert B. Hayling
Beth Levenbach
David Nolan
Sandra Parks-Kennedy

Chit, Chat, & Chew with Beth
The Columbia Restaurant was the setting for a Dutch treat dinner, by ACCORD Members Dalonja Duncan, June & Purcell Conway, Gwendolyn Duncan, David Nolan, Sandra Parks-Kennedy, Mary Richards, Joyce Nichols (Antwerp, NY) , Shirley Bryce, Elizabeth Duncan, and Carrie Johnson to welcome their Northern Member and Winter visitor, Beth Levenbach, of Lansdowne, PA, back to the Nation’s Oldest City.

An ACCORD Freedom Trail Marker at 76 Washington Street, former office of the NAACP was purchased by Beth and dedicated to honor the 100th Anniversary of the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, during a tour of the Trail as part of the 2009 ACCORD Train the Trainer Workshop for the teachers of St. Johns County.

In the early 1960’s, the NAACP, led by President Fannie Fulwood, protested plans to celebrate St. Augustine’s 400th birthday on an all-white basis. The NAACP Youth Group organized many demonstrations to protest segregated lunch counters and other facilities. They were pioneers in the efforts that led to the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. The NAACP dates its birth to February 12, 1909, chosen because it was the 100th birthday of Abraham Lincoln.

Next ACCORD Meeting
The next general meeting of ACCORD, Inc. will be Monday, March 18th @ 6 PM, St. Johns County Main Branch Library, Ponce de Leon Blvd. Anyone interested in helping to continue our mission of Remembering, Recognizing, and Honoring all those who risked their lives to attain civil rights for all and celebrating St. Augustine’s pivotal role in the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, is welcome to attend.