Recognizing Founding Member Alfreda Abbott

California State Board of Directors

PROCLAMATION

Alfreda Abbott

WHEREAS:   The Hayward/South County Chapter of BWOPA is honoring our Dear Sister, Co-Founder, and Lifetime member Alfreda Abbott for her many years of generous and dedicated service to our communities, it is fitting and appropriate for us to highlight her achievements and extend our love and appreciation; and

WHEREAS:     Among other distinctions, Alfreda Abbott, former member of the Oakland Unified School Board where she was the second African American woman to be elected to that position and served for several terms; and

WHEREAS:     For over 30 years, Alfreda served as a trusted and highly respected Advisor and Field Representative for the longest serving California State Senator, the honorable Nicholas Petris, and

WHEREAS:      After her retirement from Senator Petris, she returned to work as “Chief of State” for her dear friend Dezie Woods-Jones, who had been elected to the Oakland City Council; and

WHEREAS:     Alfreda had a long history of community activism working with organizations such  as Black American Political Association (BAPAC), NAACP, Black Conference Planning Committee (BCPC), Black Educators Association, California Democratic Party and many local democratic clubs and other community organizations; and

WHEREAS:     Alfreda was married to one of BWOPA’s Main Horses, Robert “Bob” Abbott for over 50 years before his passing and has two devoted sons, a beautiful daughter-in-love and is surrounded by other wonderful, supportive family members; and

WHEREAS:      Alfreda served on the BWOPA State Board from its inception (beginning in 1968) in a variety of vital positions Including Vice President, Political Action Director, and Historian; and

WHEREAS:     Alfreda Abbott  is one of my longest and dearest friends, it gives me great pleasure to join with you all today in saluting and honoring this phenomenal “TrailBlazer” for her years of commitment and dedicated service to our communities, state and nation; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, that on behalf of the BWOPA STATE BOARD and our entire membership, we declare this ALFREDA ABBOTT DAY across our entire membership and advise ALL CHAPTERS to pay tribute to Alfreda in their next upcoming meeting/event and that a copy of this proclamation be placed in BWOPA’s permanent files.

Respectfully submitted, on this 10th day of December, 2022

by State President Dezie Woods-Jones