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Durham Bennett College Alumnae Present Women of Vision Awards of Excellence

DURHAM, NC – Durham Bennett College Alumnae recently hosted its 32nd White Breakfast and Scholarship Fund Raiser at the Hilton Durham Hotel. In addition, this event recognized honorees receiving the Women of Vision Awards of Excellence and Friend of Bennett Award.  Durham Alumnae Bennett College’s Women of Vision Awards of Excellence recognizes individual women who have made a positive impact on the Durham Community.  

Nominees must have demonstrated a high degree of vision, innovation, and initiative in the pursuit of success in their chosen fields; a member or product of the Durham Community (including the Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill); must have worked to excel in her area while proactively serving as a role model for women and girls, embrace sisterhood and must be a representation of the ideals taught at Bennett College for Women (even if she is not an alumna).   

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“Women of Vision Awards of Excellence” were presented to five Triangle honorees.  Pictured standing from left to right are Women of Vision Award recipients and Durham Alumnae President – Jacqueline B. Anderson: Odessa M. Henderson, Jannifer E. McAdoo, Dr. Baiyina W. Muhummad, Frances D. Smith, Wilhelmina Jordan, and  Jacqueline B. Anderson. (submitted)

Bennett College, located in Greensboro, North Carolina, is a United Methodist-affiliated four-year fully accredited liberal arts college. The Friend of Bennett Durham recognition is given to one who has helped to support the local Bennett Alumnae efforts in this community.  Dr. Suzzanne E. Walsh, JD., is the President of Bennett College.  

HONOREES

The Durham Alumnae Chapter of Bennett College for Women presented awards to five outstanding Triangle women in select categories as follows:

Distinguished Leadership in Education
Dr. Baiyina W. Muhummad – Bennett College Graduate ‘95
Associate Professor of History at North Carolina Central University
Founder and Executive Director of N. C. Black Disabilities Network
 
Distinguished Leadership in Education ~ Library Science
Jannifer E. McAdoo, Bennett College Graduate ‘70
Retired New Jersey Librarian serving secondary and higher education roles
and as a government agency librarian

 

Distinguished Leadership in Health Care Administration and Sciences
Frances D. Smith – Bennett College Graduate ‘77
Retired Asst. Chief Medical Technologist Laboratory Information Manager, Durham VA

 

Odessa M. Henderson- Bennett College Graduate ‘88
Duke University Physician Assistant

 

Friend of Bennett College Alumnae of Durham
Wilhelmina Jordan
Retired School Nurse, Physician Assistant, and Community Fundraiser

 

Durham Bennett College Alumnae cheerfully assembled for a group photo with Honorees left to right: (seated front row – left to right)  Dr. Baiyina W. Muhummad, Wilhelmina Jordan, Belles Carolyn Walker, Dorothy D. Morrow, Jannifer E. McAdoo, Frances Smith, Odessa Henderson; (second row – left to right) – Belles Jocelyn Williams, Myrtle Mayo, Hedy H. Echard, Sylvia Jones, Dr. Bernadette Watts, Deborah T. Love, Akira McDonald, Jacqueline Anderson-President, Sandra Murphy, and Kathy Cole. (submitted)

Over 200 persons, previous WOV Honorees, current Bennett College students, prospective students, community supporters, and alumnae attended the annual event which was the first  “in person” since COVID. Special program participants included Deborah T. Love, Senior Officer for Alumnae Affairs-Bennett College; Dr. Yvette Wimberley, Asst. Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Engagement-Bennett College and Kathy  Allen – 2020 Bennett graduate, now Duke Divinity student. The Planning Committee members were Dianne Jackson, Sylvia Jones, Carolyn T. Walker, Sandra Murphy, Dr. Bernadette G. Watts, and Jacqueline B. Anderson, President.

2 thoughts on “Durham Bennett College Alumnae Present Women of Vision Awards of Excellence

  1. It is always a pleasure to honor the most deserving members of the Durham community. This year is was very rewarding to recognize some of the many Bennett College Graduates (Belles) serving our communities.

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