By Aqueila M. Lewis

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) honored 10 community leaders at its 2008 Ella Hill Hutch Awards and Holiday Celebration Thursday at the Wedgewood Wedding and Banquet Center in Oakland. BWOPA annually pays special tribute, in the spirit of founding member Ella Hill Hutch, to tireless activists who fight on the frontline for human rights, justice and equality.

    Hutch was the first African American woman elected to office in the Bay Area and served on the Bay Area Rapid Transit board of directors and San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Hutch was among the 12 women who organized to elect the now retired Congressman Ron Dellums to office. BWOPA was founded in 1968 as an outgrowth of a group calling itself Bay Area Women for Dellums.
   “Ella’s accomplishments, and those her life and efforts dent Dezie Woods Jones.
    For this year’s 26th annual awards ceremony, BWOPAchapter presidents selected the following honorees: Helen Bellamy from the Hayward/South County Chapter; Regina Jackson from the Oakland/ Berkeley Chapter; Regina Holly from the Fresno Chapter; Katrina Alison Jaggears from the Stockton/Tracy Chapter; Naomi Williams from the Richmond/ Contra Costa Chapter; Sarah Richey from the Sacramento Chapter; and Lynette Sweet from the San Francisco Chapter.
    On a statewide level, BWOPA board officers honored Donna Burke, executive director of AT&T California, and Linda Crayton, senior regional director at Comcast.
    BWOPA also honored Richmond City Councilman and West County school board member-elect Tony Thurmond for his commitment to the community and support for African American women.
    Additionally, certificates of recognition were distributed from the offices of U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums.
    “The ceremony was a beautiful showing of the strength and numbers of African American women leaders from throughout Northern California,” said Keisha Nzewi, Oakland/Berkley Chapter president.
    For more information about BWOPA, contact Executive Director LaNiece Jones at staff@bwopa.org or (510) 763- 9523.