The TLOD Story
A History of Dedication and Service
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.”
Lufkin Chapter
The idea of a Top Ladies of Distinction (TLOD) in Lufkin, Texas was the vision of Ladies Miriam Williams King, Maggie Carter McCoy, and Truey Williams Smith. The ladies were inducted into TLOD as members-at-large in the early seventies and recognized the need for the Top Ladies of Distinction and Top Teens of America to be established in the Lufkin Community.
The Lufkin Chapter of TLOD was organized in April 1975 in the home of Lord D.A. and Lady Maggie Carter McCoy. Founder, Lady LaVerne Matlock, Second National Vice-President, presided at the impressive Chartering Ceremony in Lufkin, Texas. She was assisted by the Late Lady Willie Lee Glass, Founder, and first National Top Teens Director, and the late Lady Velma Jeter, Area One Director.
The Charter Members and First Officers
Organizer/President
Lady Miriam Williams King*
Vice-President
Lady Ella Lattier Austin*
Recording Secretary
Lady Thelma Ross*
Corresponding Secretary
Lady Donnya E. Stephens*
Treasurer
Lady Truey Williams Smith*
Top Teens Advisor
Lady Lillie Simond Davis*
Historian
Lady Maggie Carter McCoy*
*Deceased
Following the Chartering/Induction Ceremony, a press conference and a "memorable reception" were held in the home of The McCoy's with special guests in attendance.
The seven charter members started the Lufkin Chapter of TLOD program with emphasis on the Senior Citizens Thrust. The chapter sponsored a Golden Age Holiday Brunch as its first public event.
Past Presidents of the Lufkin Chapter are Ladies: Miriam Williams King, Maggie Carter McCoy, Dorothy Allen Chimney, Lillie Simond Davis, Truey Williams Smith, Andra Goolsby Self, Louise Menefee LaVane, Bobbie Reynolds Whitehead, Virginia Howard Thomas, Joselle Williams, Jacqueline Goolsby Hale, Dr. Guessippina Bonner and Jurlene Menefee Sparks. Louise Menefee LaVane also served as National Corresponding Secretary, National Top Teens Director, and National Beautification Chair; Virginia Howard Thomas served as National Recording Secretary.
Dorothy Allen Chimney served as the Eighth National President from 1995 - 1999. During her tenure, Community Partnerships was added as the fifth thrust, The March of Dimes/Top Teens Healthy Choices: "Your Future and You" Youth Health Conference was initiated, the Black History Bowl was implemented, and the "Me and My Mentor" program was developed, and the first publication was produced in 1997. Chapters across the nation are mandated to participate in the program activities.
The Lufkin Chapter of TLOD was organized in April 1975 in the home of Lord D.A. and Lady Maggie Carter McCoy. Founder, Lady LaVerne Matlock, Second National Vice-President, presided at the impressive Chartering Ceremony in Lufkin, Texas. She was assisted by the Late Lady Willie Lee Glass, Founder, and first National Top Teens Director, and the late Lady Velma Jeter, Area One Director.
The Charter Members and First Officers
Organizer/President
Lady Miriam Williams King*
Vice-President
Lady Ella Lattier Austin*
Recording Secretary
Lady Thelma Ross*
Corresponding Secretary
Lady Donnya E. Stephens*
Treasurer
Lady Truey Williams Smith*
Top Teens Advisor
Lady Lillie Simond Davis*
Historian
Lady Maggie Carter McCoy*
*Deceased
Following the Chartering/Induction Ceremony, a press conference and a "memorable reception" were held in the home of The McCoy's with special guests in attendance.
The seven charter members started the Lufkin Chapter of TLOD program with emphasis on the Senior Citizens Thrust. The chapter sponsored a Golden Age Holiday Brunch as its first public event.
Past Presidents of the Lufkin Chapter are Ladies: Miriam Williams King, Maggie Carter McCoy, Dorothy Allen Chimney, Lillie Simond Davis, Truey Williams Smith, Andra Goolsby Self, Louise Menefee LaVane, Bobbie Reynolds Whitehead, Virginia Howard Thomas, Joselle Williams, Jacqueline Goolsby Hale, Dr. Guessippina Bonner and Jurlene Menefee Sparks. Louise Menefee LaVane also served as National Corresponding Secretary, National Top Teens Director, and National Beautification Chair; Virginia Howard Thomas served as National Recording Secretary.
Dorothy Allen Chimney served as the Eighth National President from 1995 - 1999. During her tenure, Community Partnerships was added as the fifth thrust, The March of Dimes/Top Teens Healthy Choices: "Your Future and You" Youth Health Conference was initiated, the Black History Bowl was implemented, and the "Me and My Mentor" program was developed, and the first publication was produced in 1997. Chapters across the nation are mandated to participate in the program activities.