President Message
As the 8th National President (2019-Present) of The Society, Incorporated, a preeminent women’s organization focused on developing and advancing talented youth in the arts, I am humbled to lead such a dynamic group of committed women. My Theme for the biennium is Helping Today’s Youth Turn Their Creative Talents into Artistic Opportunities for their Futures. Implementation of this theme will include:
My Mission — to transform the lives and social conditions of children who live in underserved communities through involvement in the Arts. Participation in our programs will lead to awareness, appreciation, and will elevate and empower the human spirit.
My Vision — to help students to connect and integrate artistic concepts across multiple Art forms and to encourage students to explore their inherent abilities in the Arts to illuminate aspects of themselves.
My Goals —
to make the Society a household name in the world of the creative arts by producing sustainable and substantive Arts programming nationwide that will fill critical gaps in traditional access points to artistic pathways.
to increase student engagement in the Arts Through exposure to different genre
to raise young people’s self-esteem and confidence necessary to succeed through support of their artistic endeavors.
to explore Artistic Partnerships with likeminded organizations to help support our efforts.
to increase the number of Chapters and Members to help do the work and reach our goals.
National Historical Profile
The Society, Incorporated was founded in May, 1983 by four women of vision and sensitivity – Celeste Burton, Davetta Madison, Dorothy Patton and Myrtle Roane. They conceived the idea of organizing a group of professional women who shared the goals of friendship and service. The outcome of their efforts was the establishment of The Society as an organization to promote friendship among members and to serve as a resource in the arts for young people. The first organizational meeting was held in June at the Vista Hotel in Washington, DC.
Our name, The Society, was chosen because, by definition, we are “an organized group of persons associated together for similar benevolent, cultural, or other purposes”. Because of our responsibilities as role models and mentors for young people who will be leaders of the future, Society chapters have focused on supporting youth who are talented in the arts. At the 17 National Conference in 2019 we added ‘Supporting the Arts’ to our name to better demonstrate our commitment to the arts. Therefore our full name is The Society, Incorporated Supporting the Arts. Our work provides the opportunity to enhance youth appreciation for and knowledge of the exciting dimensions of artistic expression. The colors of the organization are peach and cream, and the flower is the peach-colored tea rose.
On Saturday, April 25, 1992 in Lakeland, Florida, The Society became a national entity when chapter delegates unanimously approved the establishment of the organization and adopted the Constitution and By Laws. The first established chapters were in Washington, DC, Baltimore, Maryland, Lakeland, Florida and Columbia, South Carolina. The first slate of elected officers included Judine Johnson, National President (Washington, DC); Olive Dulaney, Vice President (Baltimore, Maryland); Olive Foster, Recording Secretary (Columbia, South Carolina); Mildred Blake, Corresponding Secretary (Lakeland, Florida); Dorothy Nettles, Financial Secretary (Lakeland, Florida); and Freddye Davey, Treasurer (Columbia, South Carolina).
The first National President, Dr. Judine Johnson, served with distinction from 1992 to 1996. Successive National Presidents were Dr. Freddye Davey (1996-1998), Dr. Carolyne Jordan (1998-2002) Dr. Jacqueline Bontemps (2002-2007), Dr. Alethia Spraggins (2007 – 2011) and Antoinette Carter 2011 -2015).
The first National Conference and Gala was hosted by the Washington, DC Chapter during the fourth weekend in April, 1988. Others hosting National Conferences were the Baltimore Chapter in 1990; the Lakeland Chapter in 1992; the Washington, DC Chapter in 1994; the Columbia Chapter in 1996; the National Organization in Arlington, Virginia in 1998 and Savannah, Georgia in 2000; the Richmond, Virginia Chapter in 2002; the Montgomery County Maryland Chapter in 2003*; the Los Angeles, California Chapter in 2005; and the Memphis, Tennessee Chapter in 2007. (*The organization voted to change the Conference and Gala to the odd years.)
Our work is further reflected in the roles we play and responsibilities we hold in the larger community. We have Friendship Teas, Awards Ceremonies, and receptions for artists and master classes for students. Members support the work of arts institutions, give student scholarships, and help to develop arts organizations. Above all, we are committed to “friendship and service” to both youth and the arts – locally, nationally and internationally.
Amidst the elegance of long-stemmed peach tea roses, peach and cream décor and attire, Society members from the Columbia, South Carolina; Montgomery, Maryland; Prince George’s County, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. chapters participated with the Richmond group in this warm, heartfelt observance which emphasized service, friendship, and hope. At the end of the ceremony, a champagne toast was led by the Chapter organizer, Iris Dance. The ceremony was followed by a luncheon celebration where more than 50 guests congratulated the new chapter members. Charter members of the Richmond Chapter are: Christine Ballard, Dr. Lelia Foster Banks, Paula Brown, Iris Dance, Barbara Jackson-Ingram, Dr. Lerla Joseph, Betty Pinn, Dr. La Vorne Reavis, Jacquelyn Thomas and Esther White.
Over the past twenty-five years the Richmond Chapter of Society, Inc. has grown in membership maintaining a solid presence in the Richmond Metropolitan area. We have dedicated innumerable hours of time and effort to our focus “Youth in Action-Arts in Motion”. Our biennial luncheon is designed to support the youth of the area with scholarships to summer camps, trips for performances and supplies. Many students that we support, perform during the luncheon, which has become our signature event every other year. The chapter has sent delegates to every national conference since its chartering and hosted the national conference of Society, Inc. once in Richmond.
Throughout our time in Richmond, the chapter has nurtured friendships and served youth through the arts. We look forward to many more years of serving our community.
