Continental Societies, Inc. North Jersey Shore Chapter
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                          CONTINENTAL SOCIETIES, INC.
                        North jersey shore chapter
                                      chapTER  HISTORY

            When Dr. Rose Cooper Thomas came to Monmouth County in the 60’s, the ashes of racial turbulence were not yet cold.  Much was being said about the lack of wholesome outlets and recreational facilities for Black youth.  This troubled  Dr. Thomas and she began thinking.  Is there something she could do to provide  services for Black youths?  Having lived and worked in New York City she thought of the Continental Societies  and the wonderful work and service being rendered by the New York Chapter.  Dr. Thomas was deeply committed  to the service of disadvantaged and underprivileged children and youth.
          The Continental Societies, Incorporated is a national organization committed to helping children and youth — children with special needs.  Dr. Thomas called together a group of fifteen women and organized the North  Jersey Shore Chapter of Continental Societies, Incorporated.  This Chapter has been and continues to be an  outstanding asset to Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
          Through the efforts of  Dr. Thomas, we were sponsored by the Philadelphia Chapter.  We were thoroughly  indoctrinated to our commitments, as expected of every chapter member.  We were to become “Continental Women”!   The prospective fifteen were concerned, interested and dedicated to the work of children and youth.  The original  fifteen charter members were of various educational and vocational backgrounds.  On May 22, 1971, the North Jersey Shore Chapter was installed with the following charter members:
            **Marie Carter Stone                       Marion Cooper                       Ruth Dallam
                Emma Esters                                    **Lorraine Finley                 **Corrine Godwin
            **Corleza Holimon                            Canta Johnson                       Blanche Jones
                Ada Pettit                                             Janice Sweeney                       Mary Tate
            **Dr. Rose Cooper Thomas         **Elizabeth E. Williams         Shirley S. Williams
**Deceased

            The North Jersey Shore Chapter has always been known for being among the first in everything that they do.  Charter member Elizabeth E. Williams was the first Chapter member to be elected to serve as the National Historian.  She was also the first member to be inducted into the Continental Societies Hall of Fame.  Janice Moon was the first Chapter member to be appointed as the Eastern Region Vice Regional Director.  She was followed by E. Tonya Greenwood who was elected as the Eastern Region Vice Regional Director and subsequently elected as the Regional Director for the Eastern Region.

          North Jersey Shore members who served on the regional and national levels include:
            Janice Moon                        National Arts & Humanities Committee
            Patricia K. Thomas          Acting National Recording Secretary
                                                                 National Scholarship Committee
                                                                Eastern Region Scholarship Committee Chair
            Cheryl Grant                     National Historian
                                                                National Corresponding Secretary
                                                                National Conclave Committee 
                                                                Eastern Region Public Relations Officer
                                                                national economic development
                                                                 National Fitness Coordinator
                                                                 Eastern Region "Healthy Me initiative"  COORDINATOR
            Bahiyyah Abdullah       national sisterhood committee
​                                                                 National Nominating Committee 
                                                                 Eastern Region Recording Secretary
                                                                 Eastern Region Scholarship Committee
                                                                 Eastern Region Elections Committee
            Beverly Crudup                Eastern Region Sergeant-at-arms
            G. Venessa jones              Eastern region nominating committee
            Laria Hamilton                 Eastern Region Corresponding Secretary
            Edith Boyd                           Eastern Region Scholarship Committee
                                                                Eastern Region Recording Secretary
            E. Tonya Greenwood     National President
                                                                National Vice President
                                                                National Conclave Chairperson
                                                                National Nominating Committee Chairperson
                                                                National Program & Awards Chairperson
                                                                National Scholarship Committee
                                                                Eastern Region Director
                                                                Eastern Region Vice Director
                                                                Eastern Region Scholarship Committee Chairperson
                                                                Eastern Region Elections Chairperson                   

          The North Jersey Shore Chapter has hosted the National Conclave, National Board Meetings and Eastern Regional Meetings.  The membership has grown over the years and continues to provide outstanding programs and services to children and families with special needs.  The chapter has won numerous regional and national awards for the outstanding programs that they have provided in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.  One of the highlights in the chapter’s history is the honor of having member, E. Tonya Greenwood elected as National President of Continental Societies, Incorporated.  She was also the second Chapter member to be inducted into the Continental Societies Hall of Fame. 

          In 2010, Chapter member E. Tonya Greenwood, Immediate Past National President, received the highest award given to a Continental, the “Lillian Parks Thomas Distinguished Service Award”.  She is the first member in the North Jersey Shore Chapter to have received this prestigious National Award.

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