|
Rose Lynch
|
Lettie B.Waller
|
Esterlene Colebrook
Sybil Johnson
|
CUPIDETTES
Our History
The Founders
In 1935, a young lady named ROSE LYNCH had an idea that there should be something she and her teenage female friends could do to render civic services to their community; and to provide some social outlets for themselves - there were few for the Black females during that time. She bought the assistance of her friend Lettie B. Waller to assist in her organizing efforts for an activity. To these two ladies goes the honor of the founding of this organization. They contacted their friends and were able to get enough participation to enable them to form a group and achieve this goal. This occurred during the reign of the then Black World Heavyweight Champion, Joe Louis; who was epitomized as the, “Brown Bomber”; thus came the name for this female group - the BROWN BOMBERS.
Incorporation
After more than a decade of success as a club, these ladies reluctantly, but mutually agreed to change the name of the organization to the CUPIDETTES. This name was filed with the state of OHIO with a request for Incorporation. On August 8, 1946, the club received its charter of incorporation and gained the exclusive right to the name Cupidettes Club, Inc. in the state of Ohio.
Growth
A former member of the Columbus Chapter Mrs. Esterlene Colebrook, relocated to Miami, FL- getting away from the cold and snow. She secured permission to organize a chapter in Miami and on May 6, 1973 after being granted permission and getting enough interested ladies together, the Miami Chapter was formed. In June of that same year, they were initiated and installed by Mrs. Rose Lynch (founder) and Mrs. Peggie Austin (then President of the Columbus Chapter). With the formation of this chapter came a cause to develop a charter for National Affiliation. On February 15, 1974,the two groups came together for a formal meeting to establish policy and rules for these two chapter and any future chapters. This became the 1st National Convention of Cupidettes Club, Inc. This was held at the Defense Construction Supply Center - a government establishment - in Columbus Ohio with Mrs. Juanita (Whitted) Miller officiating as the first National President. The foundation and developmental structure of the National Organization was firmly laid under her creative and informed leadership.
Mrs. Sybil Johnson co-founder of the Miami Chapter and mother of Juanita (Whitted) Miller recruited Mrs. Estella (Andrews) Turner and Ana Gibson to form a Tampa Chapter; they were initiated and installed in October of 1975.
In the Spring of 1976 came the formation of the Springfield, Ohio chapter. Mrs. Juanita Miller was instrumental in the formation of this chapter. She introduced the idea to her cousin Mrs. Yvonne Weems who became the organizer and founder of this chapter.
A former member of the Miami Chapter, Mrs. Sherly Harrison relocated to Troy Alabama and she became the the founder and organizer of this chapter in 1976.
Mrs. Linda Richards of the Tampa Chapter relocated her residency to New London, Connecticut and in the spring of 1977, after sharing her enthusiasm and excitement about the Organization with fifteen ladies, she became the organizer and founder of the New London, Connecticut Chapter.
The organization continued its steady pace and growth with the development and organization of the Richmond Heights, Florida chapter by Mrs. Iris Simmons, a former member of the Miami Chapter. This chapter was initiated and installed during the mid-winter board meeting held in 1979 in Miami, Florida.
In the Spring of 1980, Mrs. Sybil Johnson of the Miami Chapter, introduced the Cupidette story to her lifelong friend, Mrs. Mildred Mc Clary. Under her leadership a Chapter was formed and initiated and installed in West Palm Beach, FL.
Initiated and installed on July 12, 1981, just prior to the eight National Convention, the Belle Glade, Fl chapter was formed under the leadership of Mrs. Mildred Mc Clary and Mrs. Dorothy Oliver organizer.
After a brief slow period of recruiting and as the years went on, chapters began to form again beginning in Atlanta, with Ms. Synthia Foster as New Membership Chairperson. Unfortunately, this chapter did not remain operational very long; however, when two members of the Miami Chapter, Mrs. Juanita Mond and Mrs. Henrietta Williams relocated their residence to Atlanta, GA, they were able to get together some friends to re-organize a chapter there in 1997.
Continuing growth, Mrs. Christine Gainous of the Miami Chapter, who was the New Membership Chairperson at the time, contacted friends in Chicago, and shared her enthusiastic views about the organization. they became interested and along with friends and family members of Mrs. Bonnie White of the Columbus Chapter, and a new chapter was formed. They were initiated and installed at the mid-winter board meeting in February 1999.
After a while, all the members of this chapter became inactive with the exception of two, Cupidette Anna Ware and Cupidette Lisa Mombo. These two enthusiastic members have remained loyal to the organization and have brought their membership back up and functioning as a full operating chapter.
Still going strong for growth- Cupidette Christine Gainous continued her endeavors by contacting Mrs. Norma Glenn of the Atlanta chapter who was instrumental in the formation of our two newest chapters, Chattanooga, TN and Decatur, AL in the year of 2003.
Again after relocating, a former member of the Miami Chapter, Cupidette Ann Agbeh relocated to Jacksonville, Fl where she organized and formed a new chapter of Cupidettes Club in 2006.
In 2020 11-members formed the Houston Chapter
To date the active chapters for the organization are: Decatur AL, Chicago, IL, Houston, TX and Miami, FL
Our commitment to render service to others less fortunate than ourselves or to help others achieve their goals, has no doubt contributed to the growth and success that we have already achieved. This an only provide this organization the basic foundation it needs to continue to promote its ideas, ideals, and goals as we strive to do a good deed and show kindness, understanding that; “we shall not pass this way”
FOUNDERS: Cupidette Rose Lynch was elected National President in 1976 and served two terms. She remained active with the Columbus Chapter until her death at which time she had given more than four decades of service to the Organization. Cupidette Lettie Waller remained active in the Columbus Chapter until her death in 1979
It is rewarding and entertaining to listen to tales told of experiences of our Sisters during the times that we gather for meetings
Like those before us; steady and strong - We will walk.
For those who doubt our ability - We will run.
To heights yet unforeseen - We will climb.
With wisdom of a better way - We will live.
The Founders
In 1935, a young lady named ROSE LYNCH had an idea that there should be something she and her teenage female friends could do to render civic services to their community; and to provide some social outlets for themselves - there were few for the Black females during that time. She bought the assistance of her friend Lettie B. Waller to assist in her organizing efforts for an activity. To these two ladies goes the honor of the founding of this organization. They contacted their friends and were able to get enough participation to enable them to form a group and achieve this goal. This occurred during the reign of the then Black World Heavyweight Champion, Joe Louis; who was epitomized as the, “Brown Bomber”; thus came the name for this female group - the BROWN BOMBERS.
Incorporation
After more than a decade of success as a club, these ladies reluctantly, but mutually agreed to change the name of the organization to the CUPIDETTES. This name was filed with the state of OHIO with a request for Incorporation. On August 8, 1946, the club received its charter of incorporation and gained the exclusive right to the name Cupidettes Club, Inc. in the state of Ohio.
Growth
A former member of the Columbus Chapter Mrs. Esterlene Colebrook, relocated to Miami, FL- getting away from the cold and snow. She secured permission to organize a chapter in Miami and on May 6, 1973 after being granted permission and getting enough interested ladies together, the Miami Chapter was formed. In June of that same year, they were initiated and installed by Mrs. Rose Lynch (founder) and Mrs. Peggie Austin (then President of the Columbus Chapter). With the formation of this chapter came a cause to develop a charter for National Affiliation. On February 15, 1974,the two groups came together for a formal meeting to establish policy and rules for these two chapter and any future chapters. This became the 1st National Convention of Cupidettes Club, Inc. This was held at the Defense Construction Supply Center - a government establishment - in Columbus Ohio with Mrs. Juanita (Whitted) Miller officiating as the first National President. The foundation and developmental structure of the National Organization was firmly laid under her creative and informed leadership.
Mrs. Sybil Johnson co-founder of the Miami Chapter and mother of Juanita (Whitted) Miller recruited Mrs. Estella (Andrews) Turner and Ana Gibson to form a Tampa Chapter; they were initiated and installed in October of 1975.
In the Spring of 1976 came the formation of the Springfield, Ohio chapter. Mrs. Juanita Miller was instrumental in the formation of this chapter. She introduced the idea to her cousin Mrs. Yvonne Weems who became the organizer and founder of this chapter.
A former member of the Miami Chapter, Mrs. Sherly Harrison relocated to Troy Alabama and she became the the founder and organizer of this chapter in 1976.
Mrs. Linda Richards of the Tampa Chapter relocated her residency to New London, Connecticut and in the spring of 1977, after sharing her enthusiasm and excitement about the Organization with fifteen ladies, she became the organizer and founder of the New London, Connecticut Chapter.
The organization continued its steady pace and growth with the development and organization of the Richmond Heights, Florida chapter by Mrs. Iris Simmons, a former member of the Miami Chapter. This chapter was initiated and installed during the mid-winter board meeting held in 1979 in Miami, Florida.
In the Spring of 1980, Mrs. Sybil Johnson of the Miami Chapter, introduced the Cupidette story to her lifelong friend, Mrs. Mildred Mc Clary. Under her leadership a Chapter was formed and initiated and installed in West Palm Beach, FL.
Initiated and installed on July 12, 1981, just prior to the eight National Convention, the Belle Glade, Fl chapter was formed under the leadership of Mrs. Mildred Mc Clary and Mrs. Dorothy Oliver organizer.
After a brief slow period of recruiting and as the years went on, chapters began to form again beginning in Atlanta, with Ms. Synthia Foster as New Membership Chairperson. Unfortunately, this chapter did not remain operational very long; however, when two members of the Miami Chapter, Mrs. Juanita Mond and Mrs. Henrietta Williams relocated their residence to Atlanta, GA, they were able to get together some friends to re-organize a chapter there in 1997.
Continuing growth, Mrs. Christine Gainous of the Miami Chapter, who was the New Membership Chairperson at the time, contacted friends in Chicago, and shared her enthusiastic views about the organization. they became interested and along with friends and family members of Mrs. Bonnie White of the Columbus Chapter, and a new chapter was formed. They were initiated and installed at the mid-winter board meeting in February 1999.
After a while, all the members of this chapter became inactive with the exception of two, Cupidette Anna Ware and Cupidette Lisa Mombo. These two enthusiastic members have remained loyal to the organization and have brought their membership back up and functioning as a full operating chapter.
Still going strong for growth- Cupidette Christine Gainous continued her endeavors by contacting Mrs. Norma Glenn of the Atlanta chapter who was instrumental in the formation of our two newest chapters, Chattanooga, TN and Decatur, AL in the year of 2003.
Again after relocating, a former member of the Miami Chapter, Cupidette Ann Agbeh relocated to Jacksonville, Fl where she organized and formed a new chapter of Cupidettes Club in 2006.
In 2020 11-members formed the Houston Chapter
To date the active chapters for the organization are: Decatur AL, Chicago, IL, Houston, TX and Miami, FL
Our commitment to render service to others less fortunate than ourselves or to help others achieve their goals, has no doubt contributed to the growth and success that we have already achieved. This an only provide this organization the basic foundation it needs to continue to promote its ideas, ideals, and goals as we strive to do a good deed and show kindness, understanding that; “we shall not pass this way”
FOUNDERS: Cupidette Rose Lynch was elected National President in 1976 and served two terms. She remained active with the Columbus Chapter until her death at which time she had given more than four decades of service to the Organization. Cupidette Lettie Waller remained active in the Columbus Chapter until her death in 1979
It is rewarding and entertaining to listen to tales told of experiences of our Sisters during the times that we gather for meetings
Like those before us; steady and strong - We will walk.
For those who doubt our ability - We will run.
To heights yet unforeseen - We will climb.
With wisdom of a better way - We will live.