Avalyn Patricia Simon was sworn in for a second term as president of the New York Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc. at a ceremony held at the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building in Harlem, N.Y. The oath of office was administered to the president and officers and board of directors by former Gov. David N. Dinkins.
In her role as president, Simon is chief executive officer of the Coalition and oversees all the affairs of the organization. She first assumed the presidency of the organization in January 2012 to become its 14th president.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to give back. In my second term, I hope to build on the accomplishments of my first term and to continue to strengthen and expand the organization’s programs and its advocacy role, with the goal of helping more women and girls reach their potential. I am an ardent advocate for women’s rights and issues affecting women and their families and am grateful for this opportunity to lead the Coalition for another three years,” said Simon.
Also installed were Dr. Barbara Kairson, first vice president; Cheryl Green-Foster, second vice president; Terry Epps, third vice president; Donna Bess, treasurer; Lakisha Odlum, recording secretary; and Dianne L. Hewitt, corresponding secretary. Board members installed were Dr. Arnette Crocker, Joy Flynt, Laura Green, Zina Richardson and Felecia Stanley.
Several dignitaries were on hand at the event to congratulate Simon and the New York Coalition of 100 Black Women, including Rep. Charles B. Rangel, Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright, state Sen. Bill Perkins, former state Sen. and Secretary of State Basil Paterson and former New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins, who had the honor of swearing in the elected officers.
The Coalition also hosted “A Conversation with the Hon. David N. Dinkins” about his recently released memoir, “A Mayor’s Life: Governing New York’s Gorgeous Mosaic.” Kairson moderated the dialogue. A large gathering of New York Coalition of 100 Black Women members, community supporters and friends attended.