Local Dallasite Honored at United Nations Awards Luncheon
Diane Wright Jones, MSSW social worker and advocate was honored on Monday, October 12, 2015 by the International Division of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc in New York City. Among five other awardees, Ms. Wright Jones received the “International Excellence Leadership Award” at the NANBPWC 27th United Nations Day Briefing and Luncheon for her leadership in both domestic and global affairs. Elected as the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s South Central District Governor in 2003, she led a South Central District delegation to Ghana, West Africa. In 2005 the group provided international service projects, celebrated the installation of a water well donated in partnership with the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church of Dallas, and adopted a village for continued service. Diane Wright Jones, a NANBPWC Life member, joined the South East Dallas BPW Club in 1983. She founded the club’s Family Matters Seminar Series offering award winning programs: Let’s Stop the Bullying, Domestic Violence & Fatherhood, Breaking the Silence-Child Sexual Abuse, Drugs in Our Community-“Cheese” the Black Heroin, Join the Conversation on Racism, and numerous others.
Dr. Beryl Dorsett, Governor of the International Division of NANBPWC, Inc stated “we are thankful to the awardees for their diligent service and contributions as we embrace our theme of “Empowerment through Leadership, Communication, Education and Health Initiatives”. The International District, NANBPWC, Inc. focuses on two segments: initiation of programs and international endeavors involving communities in the USA; and implementation of service in health, education, and economic development in communities visited during foreign travel. The NANBPWC, Inc. is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with United Nations accreditation status since 1974 promoting goals to initiate programs that address the United Nations’ platforms and goals. To honor her service, Diane Wright Jones attended the UN briefing on “Avoid the Scare: Be Aware, HIV and Health”, and received the award from International Governor Beryl Dorsett and NANBPWC National President, Dianne Toppin. In attendance with her were the 2015 South Central District Governor Patricia Maples, International Division Representative for the South Central District, Barbara Richardson, and sister Yvonne Wright Curtis from Atlanta Georgia.
Dallasite Diane Wright Jones graduated from Lincoln High School as valedictorian with a goal of becoming a social worker. Completing her undergraduate degree at the University of North Texas, she received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has worked more than 35 years in medical social work, adoption, child protective services, and teaching. During her professional career, she has been the recipient of the Outstanding Alumnae Award in Social Work at UNT; the “Unsung Hero” Award from Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Epsilon Chapter; the NANBPWC Sojourner Truth Award and others. Diane is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority-Alpha Xi Omega Chapter and the South East Dallas BPW Club with President Mary Luckey.
