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NAACP chapter president recognized on juvi court banner

Published: February 11, 2016

AKRON––“We work beyond our jobs. We work to do what we have to do to make this a better community. So I share this with my friends, my extended family. Thank you, thank you, and God bless you.”

With her typical style and humility, Ophelia Averitt acknowledged her inclusion on a banner observing Black History and Women’s History months at the Summit County Juvenile Court. There was an unveiling of the banner at the court on Jan. 28.

For the past 10 years, the court has observed Black History Month with a banner or artwork. For the first two years, images of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were placed on a banner or on canvas, as high school students were asked to create drawings of the civil rights leader.

Beginning in 2009, the court shifted its focus to include Women’s History Month with its observance of Black History Month. The concept was to honor historical events in Summit County and the African-American women who have made an indelible impact on the community and contributed to its culture and chronicles.

The first such banner recognized Sojourner Truth’s “And Ain’t I a Woman?” speech delivered in 1853 at a site on High Street. Others have depicted Harriett Tubman and the many stops in Summit County along the Underground Railroad; affordable housing advocate Mary Eagle; Poet Laureate Rita Dove; the Howard Street Corridor entertainment district and Ruby Nash Garnett of Ruby and the Romantics; the Akron Beacon Journal’s Pulitzer Prize-winning series, “A Question of Color,” and Dr. Fannie Brown, the woman who ran The Coming Together Project which was created as a result of the series.

This year, the court honored the formation of the Akron Chapter of the NAACP and Averitt, the woman who served 21 years as its president. The Akron chapter was founded in 1917, chartered in 1918 and was originally headquartered at the Wesley Temple AME Zion Church. It continues to be a leading catalyst for African-American equality on a social, economic, educational and political level.

Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio recognized the members of the Akron chapter who were in attendance and recounted the many achievements of Averitt, known for her stylish clothing, her trademark hats and her ability to secure a remarkable number of Life Memberships for the Akron chapter.

“Including mine,” noted Judge Teodosio.

But other facets of Averitt’s leadership and activism were recounted as well, among them, the movement to have an Akron street named in honor of Rosa Parks, her work to have a historical marker placed at the original site of the Akron Urban League and lending her influence to assist in establishing Akron’s first Afro-centric school.

“Another thing I appreciate so much about Ophelia Averitt is her work with the College for Kids program, which gives our youth an opportunity to learn about their place in the community and help develop them as leaders,” said Judge Teodosio. “That is a huge time commitment and she does it so well and with such grace.”

Judge Teodosio also lauded Averitt’s advocacy for kids and families who become court-involved and her willingness to assist them through the process, while stressing the need for children to do the right thing.

“I am so honored by this today,” said Averitt. “I am asking those of you here to be leaders in your own way. Reach out to our young people even if we have to go out of our way to do it.”

As she concluded her remarks, she couldn’t resist one more appeal:

“And, remember, I need more memberships!”


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