Social and Civic Whirl: The Woman’s Club of Norfolk

The Woman’s Club of Norfolk, which was organized on February 16, 1916 by civic and community minded women, began their 101st year being recognized by Old Dominion University (ODU) during their 33rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Program where the theme was Celebrating Women’s Achievements and the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. The ladies of the Woman’s Club were honored for carrying on the tradition of the founders by continuing, for 100 years, to be actively involved in civic and community affairs of Hampton Roads.

MARGOT LEE SHETTERLY, author of the book “HIDDEN FIGURES: THE AMERICAN DREAM and THE UNTOLD STORY OF BLACK WOMEN MATHEMATICIANS WHO HELPED WIN THE SPACE RACE.” Shetterly who is a 2014 Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellow, is the founder of the HUMAN COMPUTER PROJECT. This project is a “digital archives of the stories of NASA’s African-Americans whose work tipped the balance in favor of the United States in World War II, the Cold War and space race.” Margot called these extraordinary Americans “HUMAN COMPUTERS.” She is the co-founder, with Aran Shetterly, of the magazine “Inside Mexico.”

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Program began with a Welcome and Recognition by THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE DEAN, DR. STEPHANIE G. ADAMS, of OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY FRANK BATTEN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING and TECHNOLOGY. This was followed by Ysaye Barnwell’s “We Are …” sung by the F. Ludwig Diehn Chorale. After the musical selection there was a Presentation by The Women’s Center and the Presentation of the Hugo A. Owens Martin Luther King, Jr. Award presented by John R. Boderick, President of Old Dominion University, assisted by Hugo A. Owens, Jr. Once the Keynote Speaker, Margot Lee Shetterly, had concluded her inspirational and motivational words, Cecelia T. Tucker, Assistant to the President for Community Relations at Old Dominion gave the Closing Remarks. The F. Ludwig Diehn Chorale closed this wonderful program by singing “Rockin Jerusalem” which was arranged by Andre Thomas.