Special to the Press
One of Taylor’s oldest Black organizations will present a major honor to members.
On Saturday, June 15, the Welfare Workers Club of Taylor will bestow the honor of emeritus board member to Lessie Givens, Darlene Clayton, Johnnye Patterson and Delores Hennington.
The event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dickey-Givens Community Center, 1015 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
The Welfare Workers Club is a local 501(C)3 that was organized in 1935 by Magnolia P. Dickey, who was the president from 1935 until her death Oct. 18, 1959. The women were an auxiliary to the Negro Chamber of Commerce, who also had an interest in all matters affecting the welfare of African Americans in Taylor.
In 1938, the first project the Welfare Workers took an active role in was sponsoring a day care nursery. The organization made sure there was running water and other necessities to the center.
In 1940, the Welfare Workers started their second project, which was building the Community Center.
Early in 1940, the Taylor Independent School District board of trustees purchased six acres of land behind Blackshear High School. The center was to serve as a place for Black community members and Blackshear High School to hold meetings and programs. The community center was completed and paid for by the end of 1940.
The event is free and open to the public.
