By Gwen DeRu
HISTORY! BLACK HISTORY! BLACK HISTORY IN BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!
Continue to ‘read’ all that you can….and ‘what’ you can. March is Women’s History Month…right around the corner!
This is still Black History Month!
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TODAY…..Councilwoman Sheila 
Tyson will host Black History Month Discussion on Women in the Media, 7:30 p.m. discussion and 9 p.m. Screening of Scandal. The Event Concludes with Screening of the Hit TV Show “Scandal.” The discussion is on the evolution of African-American Women in the media, followed by a screening of the season premiere of the hit political drama “Scandal.” The event is free and open to the public at Matthew’s Bar and Grill, 2208 Morris Avenue, Birmingham, Ala. Call (205) 500-6484.
JUDGE HELEN SHORES LEE – SPEAKS AT MOMENTUM LEADERS – ‘Accelerating the Speed of Change’ is the Momentum Conference–Building Women Leaders in Alabama and it will be packed with nine tracks in three breakout sessions led by over 40 outstanding Alabama women professionals. It will also honor five of Alabama’s top women leaders. Judge Helen Shores Lee will be celebrated for her Inspiration and for her outstanding lifelong achievements. “Helen Shores Lee has lived a life of learning, growing, and giving. She is a magnificent example of a woman who has reinvented herself to meet the many opportunities and challenges presented her. Unselfish, interesting, and genuine, Alabama is the better for having Judge Lee choose to return here to work and raise her family,” stated Barbara Royal, Executive Director, MOMENTUM Women’s Leadership. The Honorable Helen Shores Lee was appointed Circuit Judge of the Tenth Judicial court of Alabama by Governor Don Siegelman and assumed the bench in January 2003. Judge Lee became the first African-American woman to serve in the Civil Division of the Circuit court of Jefferson County. “As a child, I learned from my parents early the importance of giving back to the community. As an adult, I have found that giving of your time and service can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. If I am to promote the welfare of my community and make my city a better place to live, then I must get involved and I must give my time, my service and myself for the benefit of others,” says Judge Lee. Keynote speakers are GEENA DAVIS, Academy award actress and founder of Geena Davis Institute on Gender in the Media and ANNE-MARIE SLAUGHTER, president of the New American Foundation, Princeton University professor emerita and author of ‘Why Women Still Can’t Have IT All.’ Awards Ceremony is Wednesday 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. and the conference is Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the BJCC East Ballroom. Visit: momentumleadershipconference.com
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT – Hear from four leading experts on the new government health care law – the Affordable Care Act – clearly one of the most complex and yet most important issues facing businesses today. On March 5, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. panelists will address the basics, like:
• What are the facts I need now?
• What’s the impact on me and on my employees?
• What’s the timing? When are the critical deadlines?
• What’s the best source for more information?
They’ll also help you get up to speed on the specifics of the new law related to health care, insurance, financial and tax planning, and your legal questions. Make a reservation today. The Affordable Care Act Seminar at the Harbert Center, 2019 4th Avenue North, Birmingham, Ala. 35203. There is a cost of $15 This is presented by The Birmingham Business Alliance. Some sponsors are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Balch & Bingham LLC, Warren Averett LLC, Brookwood Medical Center and St. Vincent’s Health System. Registration is only $15 per person, but you must register in advance. You’ll be glad you did. Call Barry Copeland, Senior Vice President operations and Strategic Initiatives at (205) 241-8105 for more. MORE………. ON AFFORDABLE CARE ACT – Get information March 8 and 22, 10 a.m.– noon and 1 – 3 p.m. at the Birmingham Public Library Downtown. Open Enrollment ends MARCH 31. SIGN UP NOW!! Call 937-5452 or 937-5026 for more. COMING….SOON….
MARCH 4 – Red Rock Tuesday with Jeh Jeh Pruitt, 6:30 – 8:30 a.m. at the East Thomas Park, 13th Avenue West, Birmingham Ala. 35204. You are invited to join them March 4th at East Thomas Park. During the next Red Rock Tuesday segment on Good Day Alabama, visit the first phase of the City of Birmingham’s TIGER grant! With over 29 miles of sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails scheduled to be complete within the next year, the extension of the Civil Rights Trail into the Smithfield, East Thomas, and Enon Ridge neighborhoods is the first completed section under the grant. Please join them at East Thomas Park as they celebrate the new trail with the partners who made it a reality. Directions: To get to East Thomas Park from downtown, travel west along Abraham Woods Boulevard (8th Avenue N.) towards Legion Field. Turn right on to Center Street and travel over I-20/59. Turn left on to 12th Avenue West and you will pass Wilkerson Middle School. Turn Right on to 3rd Street West, and the entrance to East Thomas Park will be immediately on your left, right after the Red Rock Trailhead sign. See you there!
MARCH 6-9 – SELMA BRIDGE CROSSING JUBILEE – This year’s jubilee activities include a workshop by Rev. William Barber II, leader of North Carolina’s Moral Monday Movement, as well as the Unity Breakfast, many festivities and the pilgrimage across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The 49th commemoration kicks off on Thursday March 6th with a traditional mass meeting at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Selma with speaker Rev. William Barber, head of the North Carolina NAACP State Conference and leader of North Carolina’s Moral Mondays Movement. Other events over the four days include: a music and street festival with live entertainment and vendors, the annual Unity Breakfast with a featured guest speaker; the Freedom Flame Awards honoring heroes from the past and those continuing in the legacy of past heroes, including actor Lou Gossett Jr. and former Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin; an Education summit, a Youth Summit and the annual re-enactment of the Bridge Crossing.
MARCH 8 – INVEST IN YOURSELF, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the CBF Ministries International, 9094 Rear Parkway East Birmingham, Ala. 35206. The Women Who Win Ministry of CBF Ministries International invites you to share in a One Day Empowerment Experience. Come and “Invest In Yourself” on May 8, 2014. Enjoy and experience powerful breakout sessions, panel discussions, various vendor sales, breakfast and lunch, the soulful sounds of Gospel Recording Artist Marquita Anthony, an impactful impartation from Best Selling Author Vanessa Davis Griggs and a word from God from our guest speaker, President & CEO of Pinky Promise, Heather Lindsey. You do not want to miss this event. It will be an encounter to remember. For more call (205) 240-6559.
MARCH 13 – UNWIND WITH VULCAN AND 2014 COLLECTORS – Join the fun after-hours and unwind with Vulcan. Explore the museum, mingle with friends, and enjoy cocktails and refreshments as the sun sets over Birmingham. At 6 p.m. there is a unique program exploring the people, places and events that have shaped our dynamic city. In celebration of the 110th Anniversary of Vulcan’s creation, Vulcan® Park and Museum is proud to present Birmingham Collectors, our exploration of the art of buying and selling Vulcan and Birmingham historical keepsakes. The program features Graham Boettcher of the Birmingham Museum of Art, Jim Reed of Jim Reed Books, Steve Gilmer of What’s on 2nd and Greg Hodges of Hodges and Associates sharing their adventures in the fine art of collecting. Gather tricks of the trade from these local collectors and see selections of their most interesting finds. Special Guest: 15-year old “picker” Henry Kilpatrick of Magic City Finds, who The New York Times recently profiled. You are invited to bring your own Vulcan, Birmingham or Alabama items to share. MARCH 31 – Special Exhibition Baseball Game – Miles College vs. Barons, 6:30 p.m. at Regions Field. For more information call 205-929-1439
NOW…. a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT FOR FEBRUARY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU JACKIE DAVISON…AND TO ALL CELEBRATING!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL YOU BIRTHDAY BALLERS…MANY, MANY MORE HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!! ENJOY!! Well, that’s it. Tell you more ‘next’ time. (People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu is a weekly column. Send comments to my emails: thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com or gwenderu@yahoo.com)
