AMERICAN WOMEN OF AFRICAN HERITAGE, INC. ESTABLISH ARCHIVE TO PRESERVE LEGACY OF WESTCHESTER WOMEN

The American Women of African Heritage, Inc., (AWAH) in association with Westchester Community College, have established an archive celebrating and preserving the history and legacy of Westchester’s African American women. Original documents, personal writings and photographs are now being held in the college’s Harold L. Drimmer Library and Learning Resource Center on the main campus in Valhalla.

“This is a fitting tribute to these distinguished women,” says Gwen Cort, President of American Women of African Heritage, Inc. “We are proud to collaborate with the college,” she adds.

The first group of distinguished women invited to contribute to the archive included the Honorable Lois Bronz, Dr. Mary Lane Cobb, Miss Ruby Dee, Dr. Olivia Hooker and Helen Williams, the mother of singer/actress Vanessa Williams. Posthumous donations have been made on behalf of activist Mae Morgan Robinson, actor/director Tina Sattin, and Valerie Somersille, Esquire.

The Spirit of Women Archive will be now be held at the college. In the future, as the archive expands to include other personal mementos and artifacts, plans are for the holdings to reside at the African American Cultural Center, AWAH Manor, which the organization is seeking to acquire.

“This will be an important resource for our children and grandchildren along with all members of the community,” says Dr. Cobb.

The organization, founded in 2001, is a non-profit entity whose mission is to empower girls and women of African heritage, and to enrich their lives and the lives of others within the African American community of Westchester. Most importantly, AWAH seeks to acquire a facility open to all its members, along with other organizations and individuals, for meetings and social gatherings, and to conduct activities fostering cultural, spiritual, and intellectual growth.

Funding for the archive project comes from private donors in addition to partnerships and grants from local and national sources.

For further information, phone 914-681-0146.

 
Toni Cox Burns (White Plains) and Mary Williams (Elmsford). Left to right.