Awards
Valiant Woman Award and Human Rights Award
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CWU of Greater Dayton: Valiant Woman Awards The winners in 2021 are: Mattie Watkins and Joy Lee Scoates A Valiant Woman is a woman who has given service to CWU, her church, and her community. She may or may not be an actual leader, but is always someone who leads by example. A Valiant Woman is a woman who lives the Gospel message in her everyday life. A certificate and a lapel pin is given to each of the recipients. |
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Mattie Watkins
Mattie Watkins was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Catholic School through the 10th grade and graduated from John Adams High School in Cleveland. After graduating from school, she visited her father in Dayton at the VA Center and he was also the Assistant Pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church. Mattie moved to Dayton in 1951 and married her best friend, Robert E. Watkins, Sr. in 1952. Mattie and her husband were married for 62 years until his demise in 2014. They had a very good life together with their two children, five grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Mattie remained very connected to her mother who remained in Cleveland. Mattie attended Sinclair Community College where she majored in Administrative Secretary course. She has worked at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, DESI, NCR, DPS, and at the VA Medical Center. Mattie decided to become a Licensed Practical Nurse and attended the Dayton School of Practical Nursing. Later she attended College in Richmond, Indiana and became a Registered Nurse. She worked at Good Samaritan Hospital, several Nursing Homes, and retired from Pediatric Service of America. Mattie became a member of Church Women United while at the Upshaw A.M.E. Church but became a full member of St. James A.M.E. Church in 1992. At St James, she served as the President of the Missionary Society, member of the Stewardess Board, member of the Gospel Choir, the Lay Society, &the current Clerk of the Church. Mattie is Key Woman for her church which has a new name: St. James New Vision A.M.E. Church pastor, Rev. Dr. Veronica R. Watkins. Mattie has all kinds of hobbies including sewing, crocheting, and reading. With declining health, she continues to read and loves to be on the computer. The computer is one of her connections to the world. Mattie volunteered at several places and was a volunteer at Hospice of Dayton for 15 years. She looks forward to returning to returning to water aerobics. Mattie was honored in 2019 by the National Council of Negro Women. She is glad that Church Women United is active in so many different ministry areas. She gives credit to Mary Taylor, former CWU President and Mary Wynn former member of Wayman AME Church for getting her involved in Church Women United. She is grateful for being named a Valiant Woman. Congratulations to Mattie on receiving the Valiant Woman Award! |
Joy Lee Scoates
Joy Lee Scoates was born and raised as an only child in Richmond, Kentucky. Her father was a minister of a Christian Church and her mother also played an active role. Joy learned by their example to help others. After graduating high school, Joy married and gave birth to two sons. Sadly one passed away at six months of age. After moving to Ohio, Joy and her husband lost their second son at the age of four years. Joy was later blessed with a daughter and another son. Joy decided to go back to school. She attended Sinclair Community College and received an Associate Degree in Applied Science, majoring in Mental Health. It was her desire to help others while she was raising her own family and participating in their activities, such as being a Campfire Girls’ Leader and lending a hand where needed as a soccer parent. Joy and husband Wes volunteer in many ways at their church, United Christian Church in Clayton. They are Co-Chairs of making peanut brittle and for many years they oversaw transportation for those who needed it. Joy has served as Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Elder, Secretary of the Women’s Group, and President of the Women’s Group. For the last few years, she has contacted members of Church Women United when it was time to prepare the newsletter for mailing. This includes the tasks of calling the women to help label, seal, and sort the newsletters. Joy and Wes then deliver them to Dayton’s main post office to be mailed. Even though Joy has spent her entire life in the church, one way or the other, she tries to avoid the limelight! She feels humbled and grateful on receiving the Valiant Woman Award. Congratulations to Joy on receiving the Valiant Woman Award! |
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WU of Greater Dayton Human Rights Award
The winner in 2020 is Wesley Community Center Baby Ready / Infant Mortality Program in Dayton, Ohio. The Wesley Community Center Baby Ready/Infant Mortality Program is a program for expecting mothers and families with children under one year of age. The Program offers case management and home visits to the families to help them overcome any barriers they may be facing by providing wrap-around services with community resources. The goal is for all mothers to have a safe and healthy birth and for each baby born to reach their first birthday. The program advocates for families to ensure that moms receive adequate healthcare during and after pregnancy and provide educational support, emotional support, and doula services. The Baby Ready/Infant Mortality Program works with other community agencies throughout Montgomery County, Ohio where the Wesley Center is location in Dayton, Ohio. These agencies help to ensure that the family’s needs are met. All the staff of Baby Ready/Infant Mortality Program are trained and have their certification as Safe Sleep Ambassadors. |
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The Wesley Community Center established the Baby Ready/Infant Mortality Program to reach out to expecting parents to reduce the infant mortality rates among African American babies in the most underserved zip codes in Montgomery County Ohio.
Church Women United in Greater Dayton feels very strongly that the Wesley Community Center Baby Ready/Infant Mortality Program is performing a valuable service in the African American community in Dayton, Ohio. The infant mortality rate is one of the highest rates in the state and in the country. The work that Wesley has been doing has already seen a decrease in the number of deaths of children before the age of 1. We believe this organization is very deserving of receiving the Human Rights Award for 2021.
Church Women United in Greater Dayton feels very strongly that the Wesley Community Center Baby Ready/Infant Mortality Program is performing a valuable service in the African American community in Dayton, Ohio. The infant mortality rate is one of the highest rates in the state and in the country. The work that Wesley has been doing has already seen a decrease in the number of deaths of children before the age of 1. We believe this organization is very deserving of receiving the Human Rights Award for 2021.