Colorado BlackWomen for Political Action honors seven at tribute luncheon
Seven women who have distinguished themselves in fields ranging from cultural arts to community service were honored when Colorado BlackWomen for Political Action hosted its 35th Tribute to BlackWomen Luncheon.
From 50-plus nominations, 21 finalists were selected. The seven winners were determined by a panel that evaluated answers each finalist gave to a set of five wide-ranging questions.
The award for business went to Rose Andom, a cancer survivor and vice president of the National BlackMcDonald’s Operators Association, whose $1 million gift is helping to create the Rose Andom Center for victims of domestic violence.
a graduate of East High School and Princeton University, received the community service award. Bailey, who earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado, is a former member of the Denver School Board and now is the director of policy and research in the Denver Auditor’s office.
Recognition for achievements in education went to Rosemarie
a professor of early childhood education atMetropolitan State University of Denver and a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Colorado Denver.
a member of the state Commission of Judicial Performance who had also been a policy adviser for former Gov.
received the award for achievements in politics.
The nod for achievement in the cultural arts went to Debo
host of KUVO radio’s “Gospel Train,” while Howard University student Lisa
was named outstanding youth. A 2013 graduate of Rangeview High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and president of the Diversity Student Alliance, Napper also was a summer intern for the ACLU. The Legend Award went to
a retired Denver Public Schools principal who has served as a mentor for appren- tice teachers at the Center for Urban Education since its start in 2000.
The finalistswere introduced at a VIP reception at Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library the night before the luncheon, whichwas chaired by Cal
and held at the RenaissanceDenverHotel.
The reception also was the occasion for CBWPA president
and nominations committee chair to have the finalists meet luncheon speaker DeLores Pressley in a more intimate setting.
Pressley, founder of the Born Successful Institute and author of “Oh, Yes, You Can! Clean Out the Closet of Your Life,” delivered an uplifting talk that, among other things, encouraged audience members to remember the word “decaf,” and not just when ordering coffee. “Decide what you want to do in your life,” she said. “Empower youself. Commit, and don’t give up. Act on it. Follow through.”