On April 28, 2009 American history will be made. The  NCBW will unveil the first African American woman to have a memorial bust in the United States Capitol building.

WASHINGTON, April 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/TodaysDrum.com — On April 28, 2009 American
history will be made. The National Congress of Black Women, Inc. (NCBW) will
introduce Sojourner Truth as the first African American woman to have a
memorial bust in the United States Capitol building amidst hundreds of guests.
After nearly a ten year effort spearheaded by the late Dr. C. Delores Tucker,
former chair of NCBW, the memorial has been completed by current National
Chair, Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq. and members of NCBW.

The Celebration of Truth campaign will include: The unveiling of the Sojourner
Truth bust, a presentation of “Ain’t I A Woman,” by long time NCBW supporter
and actress, Cicely Tyson.  Music will be led by LomaxSpaulding, YolandaAdams
and Dorinda Clarke Cole at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center Emancipation Hall.

More than 250 donors, sponsors, guests and members of NCBW will attend a
celebratory Sojourner Truth Memorial Donors Luncheon at the Willard
Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, DC following the events at the U.S.
Capitol. At the Donors Luncheon, the program includes a Sojourner Truth
dramatic presentation by singer/actress MZuri Moyo and a monologue by Brenda
Strong,  the narrator on ABC’s Desperate Housewives. Special music composed
for the occasion will be provided by gospel recording artist Lomax Spaulding.

“This accomplishment has been a struggle, but at the National Congress of
Black Women, we have learned that it is from our struggles that we gain our
victories.  We never gave up no matter what stood in our way. This bust of
Sojourner Truth in the U.S. Capitol is an honor to all women, and will forever
serve as a part of our history that celebrates the right to vote for all
women,” says Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq., National Chair of NCBW. 

Williams further says, “The movement to bring Sojourner Truth’s memorial to
the Capitol began more than 10 years ago.  The effort began with my
predecessor, the late Dr. C. Delores Tucker and NCBW members. Dr. Michelle
Battle, our former COO, did a yeoman’s job to help us make this happen, and we
are grateful to her and all who helped to make this day possible.  We thank
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rep. Diane Watson
and their staffs who played key roles in this effort. We are also grateful to
finally see ‘Truth in the Capitol’ getting the recognition she truly deserves.
We could not have done this without our many donors from all over the
country.”

Presenting co-sponsors of the Sojourner Truth Memorial include: Ford Motor
Company, Shell Oil Company, Wal-Mart, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the
Capitol City Links, YWCA USA, Senator Ed Brooke, Events of the Heart and the
Obama Family.

“Sojourner Truth inspired generations of women to demand equality and who
later would dare to reach for the ballot. Her Memorial, the first to a black
woman in the U.S. Capitol, is a milestone, not just for African Americans and
women, but for all Americans,” says President Barack Obama.

Supporters and Sponsors of Bill H.R. 4510 and the Sojourner Truth Memorial
include: U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Secretary
of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, Rep. Diane Watson,
Senator Arlen Specter and many more. Rep. Cynthia McKinney, Rep. Major Owens,
Senator Carl Levin and Senator Chris Dodd also supported the earlier efforts
to place Sojourner Truth in the Capitol.

About NCBW

The National Congress of Black Women (NCBW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization founded by the late Shirley Chisholm and the late Dr. C. DeLores
Tucker. NCBW is dedicated to the educational, political, economic and cultural
development of African American Women and their families. NCBW provides
opportunities for women in leadership and decision-making positions in
government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector. For more
information about The National Congress of Black Women, visit:
www.nationalcongressbw.org
 
For more information about the Sojourner Truth Memorial Donors’ Luncheon or to
RSVP to attend the Celebration of Truth Events, please contact Ivy K.
Pendleton at (800) 956-4514 x 111 or e-mail:ikp@thepublicists.com. 

SOURCE  National Congress of Black Women, Inc.