The Top Ladies of Distinction was charted in the state of Texas September 8, 1964 as a non-profit educational, humanitarian organization. Since its conception the organization has expanded its objectives to include its focus on youth (known as Top Teens of America). Chapters nationwide conduct five major programs throughout the year. These programs include Improving the Status of Women: The Local San Antonio Metropolitan Chapter on October 12, 2019 held its 32nd Status of Women’s Luncheon and recognized the following community leaders for their service: Michelle Daniels Community Service, Gaynelle Gainer Education, Dr. Keisha Loftin-Gainer Healthcare, Dr Lillian Jones Healthcare, Andrea Knight Business, Wynell Mann, Education, Deacon Bruce Munson Religion, Nicole Stinson Community Service/Partnership, Terri Williams Economic Development. In 2020 Wanda Polk was recognized for her community involvement with the Missionary Baptist Convention of the state of Texas.
Service to Seniors: Is another major program of the organization. For the year 2019 the San Antonio Metropolitan Chapter spent time playing games with a local church’s senior program, attended movies, and celebrated senior’s birthdays. The Top Teens stuffed 100+ Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets for seniors and local families. Since the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020 the chapter president and members called, texted, zoomed and grocery shopped for community seniors and chapter senior members and conduct a “Wellness Check” to offer assistance.
Community Beautification: 2019 and 2020 Top Teens and Top Ladies helped with the Wreaths across America project at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Adopted a block on E. Commerce in the city to remove debris.
Community Partners: 2019 and 2020 found the Top Teens and Top Ladies participating in the March of Dimes Walk, and Military Baby Shower. More than $2500.00 Dollars was donated toward this effort. Donations totaling more than $800.00 was donated to St Jude.
Our most important involvement is with our Top Teens of America. In all of the aforementioned activities you will see the Teens participating. Some of the special projects the teens were involved in, in 2019-20 included: Blessing in a Backpack, donated and stuffed Pink and Blue Personal Hygiene packages, donated 200+ can good at the 49th Area conference in Houston, Texas, Placed Wreaths on headstones during the Wreath across America Program at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery.
The Metropolitan Chapter of Top Ladies supports the NAACP. Our membership include Golden life members, Life Members and members who serve on the NAACP Executive Board.
The Top Ladies partnered with NCNW and helped to coordinate a reading program at the Scarborough Elementary School (this school is named in honor of our member Lady Evelyn Scarborough), members volunteered with the Downtown Public Library Book Fair to show our interest in Literacy, participated in the Virtual Toy drive for Sickle Cell Disease.
Prayed and called local citizens to remind them to Get out and Vote. For Thanksgiving and Christmas 2019 food baskets were donated to our community partner N.E.W… For Thanksgiving 2020 members released pink and blue balloons into the sky with words of Thankfulness written on them. Christmas 2020 found the members decorating a TLOD Christmas Tree. There were three beautiful tree decorating winners.
Twenty twenty was a very challenging year for all, but Top Ladies have remained loyal to our National Theme “Celebrating our Legacy….TLOD Transforming Lives, One Teen, One Lady, and One Community (TLC) at a time.”
To learn more about our organization visit us at our nation website www.Top ladies of Distinction, face book or email walgin@att.net.
Lady Ginger
Virginia Pope Chapter President
