Turkey RPCV Elaine R. Jones to speak at Human Rights Award banquet
NAACP attorney to speak at Human Rights Award banquet
The head of the legal defense fund for the NAACP will be the featured speaker at the annual Human Rights Award banquet sponsored by the Washington branch.
Elaine R. Jones, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc., will speak at the "Having Our Say" banquet on May 7 at the Holiday Inn, Meadow Lands.
A reception will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m.
Traci McDonald-Kemp, assistant district attorney for Washington County, will be the mistress of ceremonies.
Recipient of the human rights award is the Rev. Francis Ayuk, pastor of John Wesley Methodist Church of Washington. The branch service award will be presented to Beverly Ellis of Washington. Ellis is treasurer of the local branch.
Music will be performed by Norm Anderson.
The LDEF is the nation's oldest law firm fighting for equal rights and justice for minorities, women and the poor.
Jones is the first woman to head the organization. She brought with her experience as a litigator and civil rights activist, as well as a passion for fairness and equality that dates back to her childhood.
Born in Norfolk, Va., Jones knew by age 8 that she wanted to be a lawyer and commit her life to the pursuit of equal justice.
She graduated with honors from Howard University and joined the Peace Corps for two years, serving in Turkey. She was the first black woman to graduate from the University of Virginia School of Law and the first black to serve on the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association.
She declined an offer from a prestigious Wall Street firm to join the Legal Defense Fund. She was one of the first black women to defend death-row inmates. She was counsel of record in Furman v. Georgia, a U.S. Supreme Court case that abolished the death penalty in 37 states for 12 years. She also argued numerous employment discrimination cases, including class-action suits against some of the nation's largest employers.
She holds nine honorary degrees and the highest honor awarded by the University of Virginia, the Jefferson Medal of Freedom.
For ticket information, call the NAACP office at 724-222-7820.
