On Sunday, September 27th, Progressive Oakland Women for Empowering Reform (POWER) will hold their 4th annual Delilah Beasley tea in the Pardee Home gardens, 672 11th Street, Oakland from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The annual tea is celebrated in memory of Delilah Beasley (1871-1934), a former newspaper columnist for the Oakland Tribune and the first African American woman to be published regularly in a major metropolitan newspaper. As a historian, Ms. Beasley’s works remain among the critical sources for both black California and African American women’s history to this day. The tea affords POWER and the community the opportunity to honor and celebrate extraordinary Oakland citizens and institutions whose vision and leadership inspire, enrich, transform and empower our communities.

POWER Leadership Council

Annalee Allen

Kathleen Cha

Gloria Fangon-Hitz

Lenore Gallin

Dee Johnson

Richelle Lieberman

Judy McCord

Louise Rothman-Riemer

Gloria Taylor

Sandra Threlfall

Dawna Williams

 We are proud to present our 2015 Honoree:

Arabella Martinez

Ms. Martinez has over 40 years of experience in developing strong community directed institutions that support the economic self-sufficiency and empowerment of women and communities of color. Recently retired as Chief Executive Officer of The Unity Council in Oakland, she leaves as her legacy a 100 million national model of sustainable neighborhood revitalization linking land-use, transportation and community development that is considered exemplary.

In 1969 she was appointed as the first executive director of the Spanish Speaking Unity Council In those early years she created its initial economic development base of business, education and employment. In 1969 she was appointed as the first executive director of the Spanish Speaking Unity council. In 1977 she was appointed Assistant Secretary for the Office of Human Development by President Jimmy Carter, the first Latina appointed to a sub-cabinet level position in the history of the nation. 

Her legacy is an amazing story of social empowerment for Latino's and women in Northern California.