|
Hi All–
Please join us and invite all you know to attend our Women’s History Month Celebration
– A Gratitude Tea –
on Saturday, March 22nd from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Kathleen’s Tea Room, 979 Main Street, Peekskill, NY 10566.
There’s a $ 10 door charge and you’re asked to spend a minimum of $ 10 on delicious tea and food.
Please join us as we offer gratitude to one of our living legends….
Dr. Olivia J. Hooker, who is the first African-American woman to serve in active duty in the United States Coast Guard. Dr. Hooker was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1915, and is a survivor of the 1921 Tulsa, Oklahoma Race Riots. She was 6 years old when an angry mob of white men charged into her house, robbed it, and torched her backyard and community. Dr. Hooker founded the Tulsa Race Riot Commission to seek justice and restitution for race riot survivors. Dr. Hooker and other survivors testified before Congress in 2007 to fight for reparations, but the Supreme Court refused to hear the case. To this day she speaks about the importance of education and rights for all before organizations and houses of worship throughout Westchester. President Obama, former president Clinton and the New York State Legislature have all honored her work.
Dr. Hooker is a graduate of Ohio State University. She taught third grade for seven years, before enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1945 during World War II. She battled the Navy over admittance. After being refused twice, she was finally admitted, but chose the Coast Guard instead. She earned a Master’s degree in Psychological Services from Colombia University’s Teachers College and she earned her doctorate from the University of Rochester where she was one of only two black female students. Her pioneering spirit and hard work helped other women and minorities gain access to higher education in future years. She served as a Director at New York’s Kennedy Child Study Center for 22 years. During this same period she also taught in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Fordham University. She retired from Fordham in 1985 as an Associate Professor.
Dr. Hooker also worked at the Fred S. Keller School for Behavior Analyses evaluating candidates for special schools and supervising school psychology interns. She retired a second time in 2002. She was a founder of the American Psychological Association’s Division 33, an organization of specialists who research and treat intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dr. Hooker is widely respected in her field. She has delivered papers on child assessment at conferences in Rome, Bologna, Egypt and in many U.S. cities. During her 60 years as a White Plains resident, Dr. Hooker has received countless awards and recognition for her service to her community and country. Even at the age of 99 years old, Dr. Hooker is still a much sought after speaker and continues to inspire young and old alike.
Not only is this Gratitude Tea meant as a celebration of Dr. Hooker, but is an open house to introduce, expose and recruit women to our organization, hence the minimal charge… so please join us on March 22nd and forward this invite/announcement to as many as possible.
This Gratitude Tea is taking place at a future WBWPC Greater Peekskill Area Chapter member’s establishment so we have even greater reason to be supportive!
Looking forward to seeing you on March 22nd!
|
