Maureen Taylor To Receive NAACP Freedom and Justice Award

Update: See Maureen Taylor's NAACP award acceptance speech.

Dear Family and Friends,

Our own Maureen Taylor will be one of the people receiving a Freedom and Justice Award from the Detroit NAACP on its 100th birthday on May 6, 2012. We are very proud of her and the work she has continued to do! The dinner is the largest one in the U.S. for the NAACP.

Maureen, State Chair of MWRO, has given her life to fighting in the interests of the working class, in general; and in particular, to that section of the working class that have been forced into poverty. She understands and educates that we must build a new society where we will not be facing homelessness, we don't have to face a day without food, health care, quality and free education, etc.

Maureen's history will speak for itself because each day she is engaged in what are the next steps of the struggle. Maureen is a true leader of the working class.

You know, for me it is a joy to work with her and for all of us to gain knowledge and learn from each other.  General Baker and I have had the opportunity to have her with us for years and have watch her develop into a loving and great leader.

Thank you in advance,

Marian Kramer
Co-Chair,
National Welfare Rights Union

Cynthia McKinney in Benton Harbor October 2011

The NAACP Benton Harbor 2nd Annual Freedom Fund Dinner invites you to meet with featured speaker Cynthia McKinney, former U.S. Congresswoman and 2008 Presidential Candidate.

October 8, 2011 at 7pm (doors open 6pm)

Lake Michigan College
2755 E. Napier Ave.
Benton Harbor, MI 

$50 dollars donation (includes dinner)
200 tickets total - reply soon!

Contact Rev. Edward Pinkney 269-925-0001, banco9342@sbcglobal.net

Support MWRO's friends at BANCO.

Make checks to:
NAACP-BH
1940 Union St.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Image from AllThingsCynthiaMcKinney

Detroit's Most Activist Church Awards NAACP's Julian Bond

By Gwendolyn Gaines and Sylvia Orduño

Central United Methodist Church is located in the heart of Detroit, MI, at the north end of downtown and adjacent to the Detroit Tigers' Comerica Park and the Lions' Ford Field. The church itself has been designated a historical building and its membership includes some of the most active members of the community. It is also the building that houses the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, National Welfare Rights Union, and Westside Mothers offices.

In recent years, the church has been led by Rev. Edwin Rowe, and is well-known through the state for its progressive mission and activist congregation. Members of the church regularly participate in and outreach with groups on issues such as: anti-war/peace and justice, poverty, homelessness, hunger, and more.

Last week, Central United Methodist Church held its fourth annual Peace and Justice Banquet, a fundraiser for the many social services operated by the church. The keynote speaker and winner of the night's Dr. Henry Hitt Crane Award was Julian Bond, Chair of the NAACP.

Among other events of the night: Cheryl Chodun was Mistress of Ceremony, Mr. Herman Dooha presented the Maryann Mahaffey Award to Councilwoman JoAnn Watson; Ms. Chodun presented Mr. Rory Gamble and Mr. Philip Schloop the Labor Award; Reverend Edwin Rowe presented the Pastor's Award to Mr. Rudy Simons; and Reverend Wendell Anthony introduced Mr. Julian Bond. There were over 200 people in attendance for the dinner and awards. (We had chicken in creamy sauce, potatoes, mixed vegetables, rolls, butter, lemonade, coffee, cheesecake, and cake).