TLOD Story
Top Ladies Of Distinction, Inc. was chartered in the state of Texas on September 8, 1964 as a non-profit educational, humanitarian organization with the following as charter members: Mrs. Franchell Boswell, Tyler, Texas; Mrs. Ina Bolton Brown, Houston, Texas; Mrs. Augusta R. Cash, Memphis, Tennessee; Major Ozell M. Dean, Washington, D.C.; Mrs. Willie Lee Glass, Tyler, Texas; Mrs. La Verne R. Madlock, Tyler, Texas; Mrs. Ruth Payne Smith, Navasota, Texas; and Mrs. Georgia B. Presswood Nelson, Dallas, Texas. The vision and service of these eight dedicated women created the TLOD Story.
In 1964 while serving as “first lady” at Texas College in Tyler, Texas, Mrs. Willie Lee Glass was the recipient of a luncheon invitation from Mrs. Lyndon Baines Johnson, “First Lady” of the United States of America and a fellow Texan. Mrs. Glass, with her wisdom, summoned a former student, a Texas College graduate and a Major in the United States Air Force, to represent her at this power luncheon. Major Ozell M. Dean, a resident of Washington, D.C., answered the call to represent one of her mentors; and she was among a multi-disciplinary bevy of outstanding women from all over the world to attend the luncheon.
Major Dean was impressed and inspired as a result of what took place at the luncheon. She shared her enthusiasm with Mrs. Glass and also contacted a relative in Tyler, Texas, Mrs. Franchell Boswell. These trailblazers assisted Major Dean in contacting other persons to ascertain if enough concern, interest, and strength could be generated among distinguished women (who would agree to work cooperatively) to help alleviate the myriad of problems confronting youth in our respective communities. A group of distinguished and respected women answered the call. It is from this idea and nucleus that Top Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated has developed into an internationally known and respected public service organization.
The first meeting to establish policies and to enact governing laws for the organization was held June 4, 1964 at Texas College in Tyler, Texas. The purpose of the organization was to marshal the talents, energies, and skills of women nationally in a collaborative effort to help alleviate the moral and social problems confronting our youth in the mid-sixties. Thus, the organization was born.
Since its inception, the organization has expanded its objectives to include its focus on youth (known as Top Teens of America), improving the status of women, service to senior citizens, community beautification, and community partnerships. Chapters nationwide support the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and the awarding of national scholarships to at least one in each of TLOD’s six geographic areas. Moreover, TLOD has included in its program, a cooperative peer education facet with Top Teens of America and the National Foundation, March of Dimes.
Membership in TLOD has grown to include thousands of dedicated, concerned, hardworking members. The Ladies represent a cross-section of resourceful woman power, all of who 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. As “shapers of change,” members of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. have, through each administration, continued their efforts toward “Serving Youth and Adults.”
In 1964 while serving as “first lady” at Texas College in Tyler, Texas, Mrs. Willie Lee Glass was the recipient of a luncheon invitation from Mrs. Lyndon Baines Johnson, “First Lady” of the United States of America and a fellow Texan. Mrs. Glass, with her wisdom, summoned a former student, a Texas College graduate and a Major in the United States Air Force, to represent her at this power luncheon. Major Ozell M. Dean, a resident of Washington, D.C., answered the call to represent one of her mentors; and she was among a multi-disciplinary bevy of outstanding women from all over the world to attend the luncheon.
Major Dean was impressed and inspired as a result of what took place at the luncheon. She shared her enthusiasm with Mrs. Glass and also contacted a relative in Tyler, Texas, Mrs. Franchell Boswell. These trailblazers assisted Major Dean in contacting other persons to ascertain if enough concern, interest, and strength could be generated among distinguished women (who would agree to work cooperatively) to help alleviate the myriad of problems confronting youth in our respective communities. A group of distinguished and respected women answered the call. It is from this idea and nucleus that Top Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated has developed into an internationally known and respected public service organization.
The first meeting to establish policies and to enact governing laws for the organization was held June 4, 1964 at Texas College in Tyler, Texas. The purpose of the organization was to marshal the talents, energies, and skills of women nationally in a collaborative effort to help alleviate the moral and social problems confronting our youth in the mid-sixties. Thus, the organization was born.
Since its inception, the organization has expanded its objectives to include its focus on youth (known as Top Teens of America), improving the status of women, service to senior citizens, community beautification, and community partnerships. Chapters nationwide support the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and the awarding of national scholarships to at least one in each of TLOD’s six geographic areas. Moreover, TLOD has included in its program, a cooperative peer education facet with Top Teens of America and the National Foundation, March of Dimes.
Membership in TLOD has grown to include thousands of dedicated, concerned, hardworking members. The Ladies represent a cross-section of resourceful woman power, all of who 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. As “shapers of change,” members of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. have, through each administration, continued their efforts toward “Serving Youth and Adults.”
Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. (TLOD)
FoundersThe founders of Top Ladies of Distinction are: Lady Franchell Boswell*, Lady Ina Bolton Brown, PhD.*, Lady Augusta Rivers Cash-Latham*, Lady Major Ozell Dean, Lady Willie Lee Glass*, Lady LaVerne Madlock*, Lady Ruth Payne Smith*, and Lady Georgia Bell Presswood Nelson*
*Deceased |
Motto"Serving Youth and Adults"
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SymbolsThe crown is our signature symbol. The orchid is our signature flower.
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National Thrusts
- Top Teens of America: The Top Teens of America National Program is M.O.M.E.N.T.U.M. which,
develops positive and assured Teens. The MOMENTUM program contains 8 Mantras including Mantra#1 Mission; Mantra #2 Ownership; Mantra #3 Mental Toughness; Mantra #4 Empowerment; Mantra#5 Networking; Mantra #6 Teamwork; Mantra #7 Unity; Mantra #8 Mentoring - Status of Women: The signature program of this Thrust is “Back-to-Work,” an initiative that will impact
women in the community who have been downsized, underemployed or forced to rejoin the workforce and impact Teen unemployment through effective job preparation for entry level jobs. Programs associated with "Back-to-Work" include Dress For Success and Job Corps. Our signature event is "Power of the Purse". - Senior Citizens:The signature program of this Thrust is “We Care,” an initiative that will impact seniors who live in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. The focus of this thrust is to enrich the lives of senior citizens by enabling them to continue to be an integral part of their community while keeping their dignity and sense of well being. Our signature event is assisting with "Crimes Against the Elderly Conference" sponsored by Adult Protective Services (APS).
- Community Beautification: The signature program of this thrust is “Keep America Beautiful,” an initiative that will impact residents of our communities by providing them with awareness and education of a simpler, healthier, and “earth” friendly lifestyle. The focus of this thrust is to maintain and enhance the communities in which we live through beautification, green living, sustainability, and the fostering of an
eco-friendly lifestyle. - Community Partnerships: The signature program of this thrust is “Joining Forces,” an initiative that will impact residents by providing enhanced services to our communities through the formed partnerships. The focus of this thrust is to build relationships with corporate, local, state, and national partners to expand TLOD's reach and maximize the range of service to the communities we serve. Some of our partners include March of Dimes, AARP, The Divine 9, Sickle Disease Association of America, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, The Balm in Gilead, National Institutes of Health (NIH), JSD Foundation/Myrlie Evers Foundation
National Projects
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP): To assist and support the NAACP’s mission by advocating its causes through education and action. More information : http://www.naacp.org/
- National Council of Negro Women (NCNW): To assist the NCNW with its mission to lead, develop,
and advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. More information: http://www.ncnw.org/ - United Negro College Fund (UNCF): To support UNCF by promoting the importance of attending UNCF and HBCU institutions, donating funds, awarding scholarships, and assisting our youth in applying, attending, and graduating from college. More information: http://www.uncf.org/
- Sickle Cell Disease Awareness: To increase awareness of the impact of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and the importance of increasing financial support to find a cure while improving the quality of health and services for individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease. More information: http://www.sicklecelldisease.org/
- TLOD Literacy: Encourage chapters to actively participate in and promote literacy through economics, education, and technology.
National Partnerships
AARP: AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www. aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; and AARP Books. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Meet the 21-member volunteer AARP Board of Directors – the governing body of our organization, and the members of our Executive Team to learn more about their backgrounds and leadership responsibilities. www.aarp.org
A-TEAAM: The major initiative of the Juanita Sims Doty Foundation is the Ambassadors of the Evers Academy for African American Males (A-TEAAM) mentorship, character and leadership development program. The A-TEAAM inspires young males of color in middle school and beyond to honor the life and live the legacy of Medgar Evers as they interact with a “village” of role models and mentors. This ‘village’ of mentors provides support and one-on-one guidance utilizing a meaningful curriculum to empower these young men as they matriculate through middle school. The purpose of the A-TEAAM movement is to improve the quality of life for young men by equipping them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and support provided by caring mentors. The objective of the A-TEAAM is to assist the young males (called Ambassadors in the program) in making internal changes with an outcome of increased positive self-esteem and overall improvement in the way they view the world. The Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute has partnered with the JSD Foundation to implement the A-TEAAM Initiative. Our partnership was launched during the TLOD 50th Anniversary celebration in Houston, TX in October 2014. A-TEAAM TLOD Sites are in Houston, TX (3 sites), Cincinnati, OH, East St. Louis, IL, Chicago, IL (2 sites), San Antonio, TX (2 sites) and Raleigh, N.C. TLOD anticipates expanding their sites in other states. www.eversinstitute.org/
Balm in Gilead: The Balm In Gilead develops educational and training programs specifically designed to meet the unique needs of African American and African congregations that strive to become community centers for health education and disease prevention. The Balm In Gilead is known for its insightful understanding of religious cultures and values and extraordinary ability to build strong, trusted partnerships with faith communities. The Balm In Gilead has been entrusted to build the capacity of national faith structures to utilize their existing relationships to deliver comprehensive health services. The Balm in Gilead is known for hosting Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference. This conference is a 3½-day, nationally recognized conference to find answers to today’s complex health issues in our inner cities and rural areas; bringing together faith leaders, leading medical experts, health directors, community health workers, members of congregational health ministries and public health professionals to increase the skills and knowledge of those responsible for leading congregational and community health ministries. www.balmingilead.org
March of Dimes: In 1995, TLOD-TTA revitalized our partnership with the March of Dimes through a collaborative project called "Healthy choices: Your future and you!" Each TTA chapter conducts an educational conference or other activity with the theme of healthy decision making, utilizing the March of Dimes teen2teen health education series. Each TLOD and TTA chapter also forms a team to participate in their local community’s March for Babies. Top Teens also participate in the Team Youth Program, educating their peers on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness and funds for MOD's mission. www.marchofdimes.org/top-ladies-of-distinction-inc.aspx
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay. www.stjude.org/about-st-jude.html
Keep America Beautiful: A leading national nonprofit, Keep America Beautiful inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. We envision a country where every community is a clean, green, and beautiful place to live. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful provides the expertise, programs and resources to help people end littering in America, increase recycling in America, and beautify America's communities. The organization is driven by the work and passion of more than 600 community-based Keep America Beautiful affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the support of corporate partners, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals.
Our collective action champions environmentally healthy, socially connected, and economically sound communities. Keep America Beautiful continues to bring people together to transform public spaces into beautiful places. www.kab.org
NICHD: TLOD has formed a partnership with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The NICHD is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health, the nation’s medical research agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The mission of the NICHD is to ensure that every person is born healthy and wanted, that women suffer no harmful effects from reproductive processes, and that all children have the chance to achieve their full potential for healthy and productive lives. Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. (TLOD) will work collaboratively with NICHD to incorporate evidence-based educational information about bullying into the Top Teens of America (TTA) program, and other activities as appropriate. These activities may include, but are not limited to, dissemination of prepared educational materials, webinars, and targeted training programs by the NICHD for TLOD leadership and TTA advisors to facilitate implementation at the local level. This initiative will be implemented in the 100+ chapters of Top Teens of America impacting 5,000+ youth. www.nih.gov
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA): For more than 35 years, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. (SCDAA) and its 50-plus member organizations and affiliates have demonstrated how community-based organizations can work as partners with medical facilities local and state government agencies to pursue national health care objectives. SCDAA has recognized that one agency cannot meet all the needs and challenges of those living with sickle cell disease (SCD) and their families. As part of its strategic efforts and to enhance its effectiveness, SCDAA has partnered with government, private and other not-for-profit agencies and programs at the local, state, and national levels. These have included National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Urban League, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the United Way, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and many others. www.sicklecelldisease.org
The Franchell Boswell Education Foundation: The Franchell Boswell Educational Foundation, chartered in 1989, is a philanthropic 501(c)(3) publicly supported charitable organization. Its purpose is to provide a vehicle by which our youth can recognize and achieve life goals that improve our communities, our country and our world. With great hope, the Foundation looks forward toward continued growth through strong leadership and committed teamwork. franchellboswell.org/