The Columbia Branch of the National Association of University Women received several awards and special recognitions during the 101st Southeast Sectional Conference held in Virginia Beach, Virginia September 25-27, 2025. The conference theme was “Empowering Women, Building Communities” and was hosted by the Tidewater Branch members.
The Columbia Branch received the following awards and recognitions:
Keisha Clay-Brooks was named Woman of the Year, the Branch won first place in the digital scrapbook competition, received the Scholarship Program Award for its generous and sustained scholarship program, and Linda P. Jones received an award for her dedicated service over the years to the Southeast Sectional.
“I am extremely proud of the Columbia Branch members for their dedicated service to NAUW and its Six-Point Program of “Visionary Women Serving in Unity and Love” and its national goals of education, literacy, health and wellness, political awareness/ civic engagement, HBCU support and sister’s connect. Our members are to be com-
mended for their efforts and the recognition they bring to our branch and state” said Loranda Melton, Branch President. “The creativity and willingness of our members to serve others makes our organization successful.”
The Columbia Branch prides itself on cooperating with other groups, associations, and agencies such as the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) to promote academic and intellectual attainment throughout Columbia and the Midlands.
Members in attendance at the conference were Keisha Clay-Brooks, Jeannette Dozier, Eartha Heyward, Lillie James, Linda Jones, Loranda Melton, and Ida W. Thompson.
The purpose of the National Association of University Women is to promote and conduct educational activities designed to provide community outreach services at every level of development. Founded in 1924, NAUW continues to provide a wide range of support services and programs as a service and educational organization. Persons interested in joining the Columbia Branch should send an email inquiry to Malloy78@gmail.com.
