Ebonettes Service Club Has ‘Dared To Make A Difference’ For 48 Years

DURHAM, NC –  In 1972, four young African American women, Susanna M. Bell, Judy Byrd Dillard, Carolyn Jones Thomas, and Marjorie Laster Monroe Thorpe (deceased), had the vision to serve the citizens of Durham and to make a difference.  They wanted to help make their community a place of opportunity for youth, a community of caring for seniors, and to be a catalyst for political action and cultural enhancement.  In March of that year the Ebonettes Service Club, Incorporated was founded as a public service 501(c)(3) organization.

The club’s motto is “Lend a helping hand today, see a smiling face tomorrow.” Founders Judy B. Dillard and Carolyn J. Thomas are still active members fulfilling many club leadership roles. Tania Green-Clark is the current president.

The organization focuses on the following objectives:

• To enhance the development of black youth;
• To become more aware of our cultural heritage;
• To become politically astute and relate to issues that affect our lives; and
• To become meaningfully involved with the senior citizens of our community.

The Ebonettes Service Club’s 48th Founders Day was scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2020.  The Covid 19 pandemic canceled the celebration. The year’s theme is “Committed to do Good Works.”  Since 2002, the Founders Day program annually has showcased  hard-working Durham citizens in the “Dare to Make A Difference Recognition Program.”

Numerous nominated civic and community individuals “who dare to make a difference” in the community are honored highlighting one of the following areas – youth, community, political awareness, education, and senior citizens during the program.  To date, nearly 200 persons have been recognized – women, men, and youth.  Proceeds from all fundraisers support high school scholarships, youth and senior citizen needs, and other community outreach efforts.

The outstanding 2020 “Dare to Make a Difference Honorees” are:

• Kasib Abdullah
• Juliet Black
• Garisha Davis
• Joseph K. Davis, Jr.
• Queen Lawrence
• Rev. Dr. William M. McCoy, Jr.
• Angela Pittman
• Gail S. Taylor
• Judge Doretta Walker

Throughout the month of December, Spectacular Magazine will feature each of the 2020 “Dare to Make a Difference Honorees.”

The Ebonettes Service Club, Incorporated currently has 23 members. To support the initiatives undertaken by the membership, the Ebonettes have sponsored Debutante Balls, baby contests, and Founders’ Day celebrations. 

The Ebonettes have remained faithful to the founding goals and objectives by fulfilling programs and projects from 1972 through today:

• Provided over 150 academic scholarships to high school seniors for college
• Contributed to Durham YMCA Annual Campaign
• Sponsored youth camperships to 4-H, Girls State, John Avery and Salvation Army Boys and Girls efforts
• Sponsored Central Orphanage youth for special events
• Mentored youth in Oxford Manor and McDougald Terrace housing developments, the Hillside High School STAR Program
• Provided support for the tutorial program at Covenant Presbyterian Church
• Honored senior citizens annually with special events
• Adopted families and the Genesis Home/Families Moving Forward during holidays
• Volunteered with voter registration and public candidate forums
• Contributed annually to the United Negro College Fund
• Contributed and responded to the needs of the community by providing public service and financial contributions to:
  • • Cancer Research Institute in memory and honor of our late founder Marjorie Thorpe
    • Charles Gilchrist Endowed Chair at North Carolina Central University
    • Sonya Haynes Stone Cultural Center at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    • Carolyn J. Thomas Scholarship Fund at North Carolina Central University
    • Victims of Hurricane Floyd in Edgecombe County
    • John Avery Boys and Girls Club
    • Calvary Ministries
    • Hillside Drama Club
    • Bridges Pointe Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease
    • Friends of the Library (Durham County Library)
    • Summer Academic and Sports Program at North Carolina Central University
    • Katrina Evacuees
    • North Carolina Food Bank
    • Durham Rescue Mission
    • Durham Head Start
    • CAARE, Inc.
    • Clint E. Davis Sickle Cell Fund
    • Durham Crisis Response Center
    • Scholarship Programs sponsored by local civic groups and churches
    • Carter Community Charter School
    • Thomas Mentor Leadership Academy
    • Flint, MI water crisis
    • Lakewood Elementary School
    • Victims of Hurricane Matthew
    • United Campus Christian Ministry at North Carolina Central University
    • Ronald McDonald House
    • Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation
    • Hillside High School Drama Department
    • 100 Men in Black
    • W.C. Turner Community Center
    • Bennett College
    • Boys and Girls Club of Durham and Orange counties
    • JFK Towers senior residents
    • McDougald Terrace Emergency Relief Drive
• Supported the back-to-school youth fairs of the Durham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., reaching over 600 youths
• Hosted Thanksgiving luncheons for senior citizens

For more information about the Ebonettes Service Club, Inc., contact Tania Green-Clark, President, at mrstclark@gmail.com  or call (919) 622-3355.