Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Attn: [Media Alert] Dr. Evelyn Gibson Lowery, the First Lady Michelle Obama and Sybrina Fulton, Mother of Trayvon Martin, Honored For The SCLC's Drum Major Of Justice Awards 04.04.14




The Southern Christian Leadership Council/Women, Inc.  (SCLC/Women, Inc.) Celebrates its 35th year of the Drum Major for Justice Awards Gala by honoring its Founder Dr. Evelyn Gibson Lowery, and saluting the work of
First Lady Michelle Obama and Sybrina Fulton, mother and Founder of the
 Trayvon Martin Foundation

ATLANTA (March 11, 2014) -   It is with great pride and excitement that SCLC/Women, Inc., will host an evening that will honor three of our country’s most inspirational women for their dedication, sacrifice and influence in the community.  The 35th annual, Drum Major for Justice Awards Gala will pay tribute to its Founder, Dr. Evelyn Gibson Lowery, and salute the work of First Lady Michelle Obama, and Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin and Founder of Trayvon Martin Foundation. The gala will be held at 6:30 p.m. on April 4, 2014, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, 265 Peachtree St.

The Drum Major for Justice Awards Gala commemorates the legacy and sacrifice of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by providing a forum to recognize today's Drum Majors who are making outstanding contributions in our community. Held on the anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination, the event gets its name from his own words, "Just say I was a drum major for justice...”.  These are the very words that inspired Evelyn Gibson Lowery to devote her life honoring hundreds of Drum Majors who have gone above and beyond in their own fight for the rights and privileges of others.    "It is our distinct honor to acknowledge the years of dedication Mrs. Lowery gave to SCLC/Women, Inc., especially during this event, which she founded," said Scarlet Pressley-Brown, interim chair. "We are also very excited to be able to honor Mrs. Lowery along with Michelle Obama, who has, with style and grace, represented our country, our community, and our race with dignity and respect.

It is fitting and proper that Mrs. Lowery be honored, posthumously, with the very award she worked so hard to create.  And just as fitting is it that Mrs. Lowery be honored along-side First Lady Michelle Obama, emphasizing parallel significance, as both women have blazed trails filled with distinction, passion, and conviction.

Honorary co-chairs include former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and Charmaine Ward, director of Community Affairs for Georgia Pacific. The event will include a very special closing musical tribute to Evelyn Lowery, tributes from local television anchors, Monica Pearson, Karyn Greer and Lisa Rayam. Gala guests will also enjoy a retrospective tribute from cast members of the show "A Different World," including Dawnn Lewis, Charnele Brown, and Jasmine Guy.   The gala Master of Ceremonies is movie and TV personality Mykelti Williamson and  Mistress of Ceremonies is radio/TV personality Mo Ivory.

The Drum Major for Justice Award’s dinner has honored many who made contributions in the arena of social justice. Recent honorees include: former Atlanta mayor and U.S. Ambassador, Andrew Young; U.S. Rep. John Lewis (Ga.-D); community activist Rev. Al Sharpton, actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson, CNN anchor Don Lemon, author Isabel Wilkerson, and former Morehouse College president Dr. Robert M. Franklin; Suzan Johnson Cook, U.S. Ambassador-At-Large for International Religious Freedom, U. S. State Department; former Georgia State Director of USDA Rural Development, Shirley Sherrod; award-winning actor, dancer, singer, and director, Jasmine Guy; and the first black all-female flight crew: Captain Rachelle Jones, First Officer Stephanie Grant, Flight Attendant Diana Galloway, and Flight Attendant Robin Rogers.
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About SCLC/Women, Inc.
The SCLC Women, Inc., champions the rights of women, children, families, and responds to the problems of the disenfranchised regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, or religion. For more information visit http://www.sclcwomeninc.org/
MEDIA CONTACT:
The Garner Circle PR | Atlanta Office
Nicole Garner - Pr@TheGarnerCircle.Com
Eugenia Johnson - PRdirector@TheGarnerCircle.com
P: 888-560-6660
2014 HONOREES:
The late Dr. Evelyn Gibson Lowery, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin and Founder of Trayvon Martin Foundation.