The Honorable Helen Giddings, Former Member, Texas House of Representatives, To Be Honored by St. Luke “Community” UMC Men’s Ministry
Helen Giddings, former Texas State Representative, will be honored with the James C. Belt Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award by the United Methodist Men of St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church at the organization’s 2019 Honors Brunch. The presentation event is set for 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at Paul Quinn College, 3837 Simpson Stuart Rd., Dallas. Chair of the selection committee, Terry Robinson, said Representative Giddings’ accomplishments exemplify the same spirit of leadership, civil rights and social activism demonstrated by the late attorney James C. Belt Jr. for whom the award is named. Belt was an attorney and activist who served St. Luke UMC and represented a variety of civil rights causes for several decades. Robinson said, “The Belt award is presented annually to an individual with a record of outstanding vision, dedication and commitment to serve the citizens of their community and the state.” The first recipient of the award was Ron Kirk, Dallas’ first African-American mayor and U.S. trade ambassador. Robinson said the goal of the recognition “is to shine a light on deserving individuals who have given of their time serving all people and ensuring that justice prevails for all.”
Giddings is President of Multiplex Inc., a specialty concessions company, which she founded in 1989. Previously, Giddings served as Vice President of Leadership Development at the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce and as an executive responsible for 11 states with Sears. While serving in the legislature, Rep. Giddings served on and chaired numerous committees. She has a strong commitment to public service and has served on the boards of various organizations in the Dallas area including the Dallas Black Chamber and the Dallas Planning Commission. Rep. Giddings has served as President of the bi-partisan 1600 member, National Foundation of Women Legislators and served on the Executive Committees of the Women’s Legislative Network of the National Conference of State Legislators and the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative (NOBEL) Women.
Her civic service has earned special recognition and many awards including: the National Forum for Black Public Administrators Award (NFBPA); the City of Lancaster has named its Amphitheater “Helen Giddings Amphitheater;” and an Honorary Doctorate from Paul Quinn College. For ticket information, email St. Luke United Methodist Men at umm.stluke@gmail.com or email Terry Robinson at lawrence12202000@yahoo.com. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the James C. Belt Jr. Scholarship Fund at Paul Quinn College.
