Dazzling Array of Notables to be Honored at Biennial Convention
Liberian president, U.S. Surgeon General, rapper-entrepreneur among honorees
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will present awards to a distinguished panoply of achievers during its Public Meeting—one of a host of events that will be held during the organization's biennial convention in St. Louis, MO, July 9-16.
The honorees hail from around the globe and have excelled in diverse fields of endeavor, but are bound by their commitment to excellence and passion for service.
In announcing the names of the honorees, McKinzie said: "Alpha Kappa Alpha is proud to acknowledge, support and pay tribute to these exemplars of excellence by presenting them with these awards. In the spirit of ESP, they are Emblematic of the ideal Success Profile because of their achievements."
Those who will be honored include:
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Her Excellency the Right Honorable Michaëlle Jean, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D. – Gov. Gen., Canada
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia
Founders' Graduate Service Award
Peggy Lewis LeCompte
Ethel Hedgeman-Lyle Undergraduate Service Award
Lauryn A. Pollard
Carey B. Preston Leadership Award
Faye B. Bryant
Septima Poinsette Clark Award
Vice Admiral Regina M. Benjamin, M.D., M.B.A. – U.S. Surgeon General
Septima Poinsette Clark Award
Lisa A. Newman, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S
Rosa Louise Parks - Coretta Scott King Award
Clara Kirk
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Medallion of Honor
Shawn Corey Carter (aka Jay-Z)
PRESIDENT'S AWARDS
International President Barbara A. McKinzie will bestow President's Awards upon the following military and legislative leaders who have embodied in word and deed, the noble devotion to service.
Brig. Gen. Belinda "Brenda" Pinckney – U.S. Army
Retired Brig. Gen. Velma "Von" Richardson – U.S. Army
Brig. Gen. Julia J. Cleckley – Army National Guard
Brig. Gen. Barbaranette T. Bolden – U.S. Pacific Command
Brig. Gen. Allyson R. Solomon – Maryland National Guard
Retired Maj. Gen. Marcelite J. Harris – U.S. Air Force
McKinzie applauded the following trio of legislators for their advocacy and outspokenness and for promoting Alpha Kappa Alpha's service mission through their support of legislation aimed at helping those to whom the organization renders service.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas)
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas)
Rep. Diane E. Watson (California)
[Click here for the press release, which contains more information on the honorees.]