Page 6 Portland Observar, Juna 22, 1983
OBSERVATIONS
FROM THE SIDELINES
by Kathryn H a l! Bogle
and Sinte Robinson for outstanding
performances.
Costuming,
by
Chonitia Smith, was fresh, interest
ing in use o f tie-dye and color, and
in selection from among African
designs.
Smith has a successful company
on his hands. Sponsors were (he
M etropolitan Arts Commission and
the Northwest Artists Workshop.
1976, she became a first vice-presi
dent. In 1980. Champion became
president o f the N A C W C , with its
1,000 clubs representing 100,000
colored women in the United States.
Proudly Champion states: "T his is
the oldest national organization of
black women in the country. It was
organized in 1896 by M ary Church
Terrell and has been in the front line
o f the civil rights struggle ever
etal sculpturist A l Goldsby
since." Champion was counted by
exhibits this week at the
tb o n y magazine among "100 Most
Sandpiper
Gallery
at
Cannon
Influential Black Am ericans," in
Beach. Goldsby does some interest
1982 and 1983.
ing things in brush work and he is
Champion knows the civil rights
showing some o f these along with
struggle is still going on — she's a
his nature studies in metal.
booster for Benjamin Hooks. For
Susan B. Anthony, too. And for
he Oregon Association o f
Mary M cCloud Bethune.
Colored Women's Clubs, dur
As she addressed her audience
ing (he past week, brought to Port
Champion reminded them that 14%
land a dynamic woman, a veritable
of black children are not in school.
powerhouse o f energy and inspira
She discussed the disparity in educa
tion. She is Otelia Champion, presi
tion between black children and
dent o f the National Association of
white children and urged her listen
Colored Women's Clubs, Inc.
ers to bestir themselves to correct
Betty Thompson, co-chair o f the
and compensate for these dispari
O A C W banquet honoring the dis
ties. Champion drew attention to
tinguished
visitor,
introduced
the widening gap in preparation for
Champion as "Everybody’s Per
life and jobs between black children
son." She was, indeed. The ban
without proper motivation and
quet, held at the Cosmopolitan
while children.
Hotel, drew about 230 members and
" H o w Does Your Chair F it” was
friends o f O A C W Thursday evening
the title Champion gave her speech
to hear Cham pion’s message to the
— meaning: "W h a t kind o f Club
membership in an open gathering.
member selects a straight back
Strength o f character, kindness
chair, a good reading chair, a soft
and good will are in her face as she
comfortable chair, a rocking chair,
extends her hands in greeting.
or a lounge chair — reflecting the
Champion is a musician — a pianist
DR. ANITA RAE
(Photo Richard Brown)
life style.
and vocalist. She holds a degree in
The challenge was thrown to the
riends by (he score gathered
music from the Chicago Conserva
members to "light your candles" —
cian, " I really do. I like all the won
tory o f Music. Champion also has a
" L ift as you clim b" — "rise up
last Sunday evening at the
derful cultural experiences available
degree from Northwestern Univer
from your chair and do your w ork."
home of Vessie and Allen Bowens to there — music, theatre — all o f it.
sity in business administration, she
The O A C W C has as its affiliates:
greet and congratulate D r. Anita
M y goals? — I hope someday to
has a master's degree from N o rth
Altruistic Club. Carrie Holliday,
Kae on the completion o f her medi
specialize in neurology."
western in Counseling and is
president; Fleur de Lis Club, Lillian
cal education at George Washington
D r. Rae was the inspiration for a
working on her doctoral degree in
University in Washington, D .C .
Bell, president; Harriet Tubman
special Thanksgiving mass conduct
education. She has been teaching
Club. Alberta Randolph, president;
Mrs. Terri W ic kc liff was co-hostess
ed by the Rev. M .
Ramsey
music in Chicago's public school
Kathryn Gray Club, Ida Johnson,
for the joyous event.
Schadewitz at St. Philip Church on
system for nearly 35 years and has
The degree o f medical doctor was
president; Literary Research Club,
Sunday afternoon preceding the
been director o f music in her church
conferred on D r. Rae in early June
Marie Smith, president; Multnom ah
reception. Her visit in Portland
(Zion
Baptist) for 28 years. This she
with her parents, Oertrude and
W omen’s Club, Thelma Sylvester,
would be short, she said, as she
intends to keep doing, she said.
president.
Arvoll Rae, among the many friends
expects to return to Washington to
Champion is also a d u b woman.
For the musical portion o f the
in attendance at the ceremonies. D r.
begin her residency at Washington
She joined her mother's club when
Rae. at 26, was one of eight new
evening, Calvin Almon sang to his
Hospital Center within a few days.
she was a girl growing up in
black doctors in the class o f ISO to
own piano accompaniment, and
ruce Smith, director and lead
Chicago. The club was called the
receive medical degrees. " I feel I
also accompanied
M attie
Ann
"W om ans Improvement C lu b ."
have had a good education at
Spears, soloist. City Commissioner
drummer for the Northwest
she became president of
George W ashington," the quiet,
Charles Jordan presented greetings
Afrikan American Ballet, played Eventually
to
this club and the members kept her
modest young woman said. " I was
and a book to Champion; W alter
a full house when he presented his
in office for 17 years, while they
pleased to be among the talented
M orris, Equal Opportunity O fficer,
company at Jefferson High School
gave scholarships to young people,
and gifted students the university
presented a set o f Scott Joplin
recently. The crowd was enthusiastic
helped needy families and found
attracts to the campus."
stamps on behalf o f the U.S. Postal
and appreciative o f the skill o f the
speakers to address the community.
A Portlander by birth, Rae at
Service to the visitor.
dancers and the driving force o f the
Champion began visiting the
tended Alameda elementary school
Mae Rose was general chair for
drums with all their intriguing poly
executive board meetings o f the
here and was enrolled for all four
the evening. Pauline M . Bradford is
rhythms.
N A C W C " a long lime ago" and, in
years of her high school at Oregon
president o f the O A C W C .
Smith sought to educate his audi
Episcopal Schools where she dis
ence in the ancient dance form and
covered her own serious interest in
rituals o f Africa. He did just that.
science. "Fortunately OES is well
There were dances of Ghana, some
equipped for instruction in the
from M ali and others from Senegal.
sciences, and they encouraged me to
Some were dated from 13th century
develop my interest in this direc
M ali. Some dances were children's
tio n ," said Rae. " I entered Univer
dances performed by the Talking
sity of Portland and was graduated
Drum Dancers o f the local Black
in Life Science in 1978. I won a
Educational Center. Other dances
fellowship to study nuclear medicine
were incredible performances by
for eight months at the Argonee
professionals in acrobatic and con
National Laboratory and later I had
tortionist style.
a similar opportunity to study viral
Assisting Smith were master
oncology for six months at the same
drummers Obo Addy, Israel Annoh
institution. Now that I have been
and Amon Kotey along with Smith's
graduated, I will begin my residency
regulars, Caton Lyles and Tracy
at Washington Hospital Center and
Sanders.
will practice internal medicine for
Special mention and special
three years there.
applause were meant for dancers
" D o I like living in Washington?
Ruby
Bums,
Robert
Fouther,
Yes," said the pretty young physi-
Richard Green, Eno Washington
M
T
GROUND BEEF
80% LEAN
F
I
SHOP
IENOW S
FOR
B
National Asaociation of Colorad Woman's Club banquet partici
pants Included: Batty Thompaon and Mae Roaa. banquet co-chalra:
Othalia Champion, national prealdent; and Paulina Bradford.
Oregon Aaaociatlon praaidant.
(Photo: Richard J. Brown)
MONPAY
io ' oo
WELCOME A L L
TO
fe e v
A» I
THE
Tri-Met plans schedule change
FJEADIWG
[R V /N 6 P A f? K .
FEATURING:
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[Sur D ick so n .’s
. Strtûi speny
predami
' FREE pqqks , reaping games ,
PHONICS, S P E LLIN G B E E S
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IT A L IC ALPHABET
A HD LOTS MORE //z
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7
1 1 / / t ' , . i , f ,i
i, j
The T ri-M et Board o f Directors
has been briefed on a proposal
which would make the bus system
more efficient by cutting 2,000
service hours from schedules on a
weekly basis. The recommendation
will be taken to community meet
ings, public hearings and formal
Board meetings before being finalized
in late October for implementation
January 29, 1983.
Citing employment figures which
see 10% fewer metropolitan area
residents traveling to jobs than were
working in 1980, the staff noted that
payroll tax revenue and farebox re
turns had been negatively affected.
Four meetings will be held with
residents and riders throughout the
region at 7:30 p m. on the evenings
o f July 18, 19 and 20 at Fernwood
Middle
School
in
Northeast
Portland. M ilw aukie High School
and the Multnom ah Center; and on
July 21 at noon at the Portland
Building.
The T ri-M et Board o f Directors
will then consider the proposal in
the form o f a formal resolution at
its regular monthly meeting on
September 26. That resolution will
be the subject o f two public hearings
September 27 at noon and 7:30 p.m.
at the Portland Building. The Board
will take final action on the recom
mendation at its regular monthly
meeting on October 31.
In addition to the community
meetings and public hearings, the
T ri-M et staff will take the proposal
to neighborhood associations, civic
groups and service organizations.
The meetings and explanations will
be complemented by an extensive
effort on the part of the staff to
make sure that riders on all the lines
affected by the suggested January
adjustments know about them
before the Board makes its final
decision.
1
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