By Francis Taylor, Sr. Writer
Ladies of Distinction Focus on Breast Cancer
Lady Ann Lincoln, Lady Cheryl Washington, Lady Alexis Cooper, Ladyb Brenda Dodd, Lady Lisa Sweeney (Ladera Heights Chapter President), Lady Karlisa Carter, Lady Margo Estrada, behind her is Lady Delethea Gafford, Lady Bennie Beckwith, Lady Adela North, Lady Sharon Parker-Martin, Lady Pamela Bizzel, Lady Terri West, and Lady Danielle King.
Lady Lisa Sweeny is the President of the Ladera Heights Chapter of the Top Ladies of Distinction (TLOD), which includes many women from the City of Inglewood. The members recently focused their attention on breast cancer education and the celebration of breast cancer survivors.
TLOD was chartered in the state of Texas on September 8, 1964 as a non-profit educational, humanitarian organization and now has dozens of chapters throughout the nation. Since its inception, the organization has expanded its objectives to include its focus on youth, with the introduction of the Top Teens of America initiative, improving the status of women, service to senior citizens, community beautification, and community partnerships.
In 1964, the eight founders of TLOD indicated the organization’s primary objective was to help alleviate the moral and social problems engulfing the youth in our communities. This was done via a youth organization. In 1968, while meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, the organization’s membership decided that the group should have an official name. Lady Cordelia Mackey, President of the Texarkana Twin City Chapter, suggested the name of Top Teens of America and the name was adopted by the organization and launched nationwide.
In 1969, there was a need to form a Top Teens of America group in each chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction. A committee was appointed and soon thereafter, the first National Top Teens of America convention was organized.
Membership in TLOD has
grown to include thousands of dedicated, concerned, hardworking members. The
Ladies represent a cross-section of resourceful woman of individual and
collective power, all of whom work in the interest of the more than 4,000 Top
Teens. Top Ladies support other major thrusts of the organization geared toward
enhancing the quality of life for our fellow human beings.
“Ongoing programs and projects are important to the fulfillment of TLOD’s
mission,” said President Sweeney. “As shapers of change, members of Top Ladies
of Distinction, Inc. have through each administration, continued their efforts
toward “Serving Youth and Adults.”
Under their Status of Women thrust this month the ladies of the Ladera Heights Chapter stopped to recognize and pay tribute to breast cancer survivors as well as all lives that have been touched by this disease. The ladies were encouraged to share the information received with women they know regarding, practicing better breast health – making healthy choices, taking charge of their breast health and knowing breast cancer risks. Women were also urged to understand their family history, get screened, and become their own best advocate as they- know their own body and know what is normal and what is not.
