TERRE HAUTE —
Wabash Valley civil rights leaders are ready to start a new push for social equality and the elimination of racial hatred through the local branch of the NAACP.
The recently elected leadership of the Greater Terre Haute Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People took their oaths of office to begin new two-year terms Monday night at the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church on South 15th Street.
This comes as the organization is narrowing its focus to a handful of key policy and outreach objectives, said Valerie Hart-Craig, who took the oath Monday night to start her second two-year term as branch president.
The local NAACP branch plans to work to promote economic sustainability, education, health, public safety, criminal justice, voting rights and political representation, especially voter turnout, Hart-Craig said.
After taking the oath with nine other members of the NAACP leadership, Hart-Craig said she plans to push hard in her new term to get members working toward the organization’s goals and priorities. She also plans to drum up a lot more effort from young adults.
“My particular generation, we’re not out there,” Hart-Craig said. Many of the most active members of the Greater Terre Haute Branch are seniors, she noted. “It’s our turn.”
The Greater Terre Haute Branch of the NAACP has about 150 members, Hart-Craig said. The organization meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Vigo County Public Library.
Rev. Thomas Wood Sr. administered the oath of office to the newly elected leadership. One member, Treasurer Theressa Bynum, a former branch president, was out of town and took her oath by telephone.
In the area of political participation, the NAACP in Terre Haute is going to focus on improving voter turnout, Hart-Craig said. Nationally, the organization, which is based in Baltimore, is more focused on equality of access to polling places, she noted.
This summer, Terre Haute will host an NAACP education summit, said Dennis Bialaszewski, who was elected to an at-large position on the branch executive committee. The summit is still in the early planning stages, he said.
Wood, before administering the oath to the officers, had each elected official state his or her job within the organization. That was to remind them how they all have to work together, he said.
“We are one body,” Wood said in a prayer after the ceremony. “Without justice, we are a lost body and a lost nation.”
NAACP officers
President: Valerie Hart-Craig
First vice president: Sylvester Edwards
Second vice president: John Lang
Secretary: Drucella Thomas
Assistant secretary: Diana Hart
Treasurer: Theressa Bynum
Assistant treasurer: Oscar Session
Executive committee: Sandra Wickware, Dennis Bialaszewski, Marsha Bialaszewski
Reporter Arthur Foulkes can be reached at 812-231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
Today in History May 24
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
