Dozens of
people packed into Pearl’s Place restaurant Sept. 13 not only to enjoy a hearty
breakfast, but to help Segmented Marketing Service Inc. and General Mills put
on its Feeding Dreams “Get Together.” Women who have made indelible marks on
the community were celebrated and on program. The event also focused on
education and health.
Feeding
Dreams is a national initiative that honors African American mothers who work
tirelessly for their family and community. The program features local “Get
Togethers” like the one held at Pearl’s where the agenda includes paying
tribute to a local “hero” in education or health, and having professionals
speak on the subjects.
Donna
Thompson, CEO of Access Community Health Network, was honored as the Feeding
Dreams Outstanding Mom at the Tuesday morning breakfast. Her health
organization created and promotes the annual Pin-A-Sister breast cancer
awareness campaign that has female members of faith congregations make a pledge
to be mindful of their breast health as they pin pink ribbons on each other
during worship services on Mother’s Day.
“It’s our
(goal) to make sure…we leave no women behind,” Thompson told the crowd at
Pearl’s about the breast cancer awareness campaign.
Thompson
was presented with a plaque and a gift bag.
SMSi
Founder and CEO Sandra Miller Jones served as the event emcee, and presided
over a program that included a moving gospel music selection by Isaiah
Robinson, remarks by Kara Davis, M.D., of the Christian Community Health Center
on family health and on education by Maryann Grossett, a retired teacher,
sister-in-law of the late comedian Bernie Mac and executive director of the
foundation bearing his name.
“There’s
nothing like Dr. Mom,” said Davis, an internal medicine physician.
She
talked about ways mothers could help their children “walk into adulthood with
optimal health.”
Grossett
told the attendees “you are either a dream keeper or a dream killer” as she
offered tips to parents on how they can effectively work with their children's
teachers.
Cook
County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown and Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) were among
the attendees.
The event
opened and closed with prayer by Rev. Bernada Baker. Rev. Dr. Barbara Wilson of
Coppin Memorial Church and Lawrence Hayes were raffle winners. Joyce LeFlore
is SMSi lead ambassador.
Copyright
2011 Chicago Defender
