[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1904

[Marty McKenzie]

February 6, 2023
Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others
From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President
Positive Note 1904
843-939-8091  marty2music at outlook.com

Dear Federation Family,

Since 1976, every American President has recognized February as Black History Month. The contributions of Black Americans are celebrated across our nation. Other countries, like Ireland and the United Kingdom, also recognize Black History month, though it may occur at different times during the year.

The NFB of SC is proud of the accomplishments and contributions of its Black members. Some of these important figures in our history include Dorothy C. Barksdale, Mary Middleton, Hattie Duncan and Fred Vercher. Dorothy and Mary both served on the executive board of the NFB of SC at different times and held many other roles. Fred served on the NFB of SC state Board as well as on the Columbia Chapter Board. He also served at least one term as Columbia Chapter President. Hattie served as the Lancaster Chapter president and was heavily involved in fundraising efforts for the organization. Now, we also have a SC Association of Black Leaders division to continue the strong contributions to our organization. What a joy it is to know that blindness is the common characteristic that brings this organization together.

The Washington Seminar is now complete for 2023, and the South Carolina delegation is back home. The ten-member delegation concentrated on the three pieces of legislation, and met with South Carolina members of the House of Representatives and the Senate. We extend our appreciation to these individuals for spending the time necessary to attend this important event and for representing us so well.

>From Fundraising Committee Co-Chairs Debra Canty and Andrew Adams
The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Fundraising Committee invites you to A Night of Love on February 11, 2023 at the Federation Center of the Blind beginning at 5:00 p.m. and concluding at 9:00 p.m. The deadline for purchasing tickets has passed. However, if you are interested in attending, please contact Andrew Adams at 803-269-3803 or Debra Canty at 803-775-5792. This will be a fun-filled evening!

Here is David Houck's Federation fun fact for this week! Let's continue to read and learn together about our rich history in South Carolina.

"Under the Apple Tree": This book authored by Robin Fruiticher and edited by Donald C. Capps was written in 1994 to highlight the establishment, progress and purpose of the SC Aurora Club of the Blind.  The Aurora Club was renamed the NFB of SC in 1957.

The book  contains an introduction to the NFB of SC which reveals the plight of the blind and our purpose in the blind changing what it means to be blind. The table of contents reveals the birth of the Aurora Club of the Blind from 1944 to 1954, an expansion of purpose from 1954 to 1964, fighting for equality from 1964 to 1974, the creation of the SC Commission for the Blind in 1966, legislative victories from 1974 to 1984, phenomenal growth from 1984 to 1994, the NFB of SC continues to make a difference, a Concurrent Resolution by the SC General Assembly and an NFB of SC Day Proclamation celebrating our first 50 years of service. This book is similar to the NFB's "First Fifty Years" book which highlighted the years from the establishment of the NFB in 1940 and its progress until 1990.

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