NAACP: Much Accomplished, More Needs to Be Done

Thursday night’s annual NAACP Ruby McKnight Williams Award dinner was a who’s who of important political and civic leaders in the West San Gabriel Valley as more than 400 turned out to celebrate the region’s diversity and outstanding people who have given much to improve local quality of life.

The theme was “Our Community Working Together” and the packed event was held at the Pasadena Hilton Hotel’s International Ballroom.

“Progress has been made, and much more is to be achieved,” said Joe Brown, President of the Pasadena branch of the National Association of Colored People  which hosted the event in reference to collective effort to bring about racial equality and improving the quality of life in the community.

Attendance was record-breaking and so was the number of honorees, who ranged from business people to politicians to volunteers.

Those honored were cited for their efforts promoting civil rights, racial harmony and community betterment.

Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard commended the NAACP for its contribution to the community and the city, saying Pasadena has benefited significantly from NAACP’s efforts.

“The theme for this year, ‘One Community Working Together’ is so perfectly chosen,” Bogaard said. “Your [NAACP] Director Joe Brown is a consummate practitioner of that commitment. I want to  express gratitude to Joe and the organization for the work they have done over the years to bring the community together to communicate and to ensure that the challenges the community face are addressed constructively and as quickly as possible.”

Bogaard thanked the NAACP for giving city hall the opportunity to be a part of NAACP’s program. “Remember there is tremendous support there [city hall] and appreciation for the services that you provide,” he said.

Brown reciprocated the compliments of Bogaard and said the organization could not have achieved so much without the cooperation of the city hall and other community leaders.

He told the crowd, “This organization and under this leadership, we [NAACP] do not forget our friends. Whenever you need us, please don’t hesitate to call us.”

Brown also called for a moment of silence to remember the people who have lost their lives on 9/11.

Keynote speaker John Van de Kamp highlighted the fact that civil rights leaders and groups like the NAACP have achieved so much over the past 70 years in improving the quality of life of the Pasadena community as well as advancing racial equality.

“Seventy five years ago this could not have happened. In Pasadena, we now have two black city councilmembers, Jacque Robinson and Chris Holden. A lot of things we take for granted today, would not be possible in the past. But there’s still a lot that needs to be done to achieve racial equality,” Van de Kamp said.

He also underlined the critical role the NAACP has to play under the current financial crisis.

“In this era of economic hardship, the role of NAACP has never been more important,” Van de Kamp emphasized.

Accepting the President’s Award, Pasadena Chief of Police Phillip L. Sanchez credited NAACP and other volunteers whom he described as responsible in improving the quality of life in the community. He said the fruits of cooperation are very evident as crimes in the city were down 10% today compared to a year ago.

He said that the increased sharing of information has also increased public trust.

Sanchez addressed the crowd, “But we cannot rest on our past successes. We have to move forward together in a positive direction to ensure that a continued effort to maintain public order. We have many challenges ahead. but I believe we can rise to these challenges if we all work together collaboratively.”

The awardees were led Pasadena Chief of Police Sanchez and Ronald Matthews, Program Director at Alta/Pasa Community Improvement Center who both received the President’s Award: Sandi Mejia of M&R Professional Services; and Sindee Riboli, Sharp Seating Company, Business Award:  Reginia Moses, volunteer educator, Shirley Fields, Volunteer Award: Jill Sumiyasu, volunteer; Bob Baderian, Executive Director, First Tee of Pasadena; and Sylvester Caesar, Rose Bowl Operating Company,  Community Award; Dr. Nicholas Benson, Promise Christian University, Faith Award: Juanita Watts, MD, Kaiser Permanente, Health and Fitness Award.

Western Asset, Corporate Award: Mary Ann Lutz, Mayor, City of MonroviaCivic Award: Walter Jackson, Volunteer; and Timothy Bowles, Attorney-at-Law, Humanitarian Award.

Duarte City Council member Lois Gaston was awarded for leadership in the area of civil rights. While the Ruby McKnight Williams Award was presented to Duarte Mayor Pro Tem Gaston.