Our History
Leading Ladies of Harnett County, Inc. a 501 (c) 3 organization was birth out of a need to bring women of color of all backgrounds together for the greater good of the Harnett County community. The conversation started in May of 2021 when Ms. Pamela Williams approached Ms. Frances McNeill about an idea that she had and was working on in March 2021 and wanted to know if Ms. Frances McNeill would be a part of this joint effort to assist to start an organization for women of color in Harnett County. Ms. Frances McNeill agreed and that was the beginning of the foundation for the organization. Ms. Frances McNeill came up with the name Leading Ladies of Harnett County and it stuck. The actual brainstorming started in Summer 2021. Its founding conception was on October 22, 2021, at Cornerstone Cafe and Coffee in Coats, NC. Interested members were invited to a Meet and Greet Brunch by the founder and co-founder, Ms. Pamela Williams and Ms. Frances McNeil at DeBorah's Restuarant in Dunn, NC on Saturday, November 13, 2021. Attendees were: Frances McNeill, Pamela Williams, Barbara Abney, Darlette McCormick, Kittrane Sanders, Tiffany McNeill, Dr. Della Newkirk, Anitra Hart, Tasha McDowell, Ann Fairley, Sharon Baker, and Dr. Consuela Blaizes. They were given an overview of the group’s purpose and founding principles. From there, the rest is being written, as a coalition of women of color have come together in unison with their talents and resources, to grow and learn from each other, and to serve. The organization seeks holistically to enact goodwill toward notable service projects in the Harnett County area. The organization's first official meeting was held on January 8, 2022, at the Harnett County Cooperative Extension Center. The organization was officially established by State of North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State on March 10, 2022 and received its 501 (c) 3 status on June 7, 2022.
Founder:
Pamela Williams
Co Founder:
Frances McNeill
Our Founding Members of Harnett County Leading Ladies:
Frances McNeill, Pamela Williams, Darlette McCormick, Kittrane Sanders, Tiffany McNeill, Dr. Della Newkirk, Anitra Hart, Sharon Baker, Sandra Abney, Sharon Gainey, Lakela McLean, Chondrika McKoy, Nekecha McKoy, Brittany Jones, Monique Tuset, April Gaulden, Pastor Dr. Shelia McKoy, Rev. Hanna Broome, Jeannie Hicks, Yolanda Geddie, Tasha McKoy, Barbara Abney, C. Christina Surles, and Bonita Guy.
Our Mission
Our mission is to empower women to take leading roles in their community. We strive to provide a platform where women come together in unity and support each other to be excellent in their calling. We aim to challenge negative stereotypical misnomers against women of color. Finally, we seek to build an organization where women serve to be impactful.
Our Vision
We envision a world where women are leaders in their community, are supportive of each other and empowered in their efforts to provoke change.
Our Motto
Unity.......................breaking the myths and setting the stage.
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