Bill Text: SC S0847 | 2017-2018 | 122nd General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson L.H.D.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-01-09 - Introduced and adopted [S0847 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2017-S0847-Introduced.html
A SENATE RESOLUTION
TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE DOROTHY BUCKHANAN WILSON, L.H.D., FOR RECEIVING THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD DURING THE PHI BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY'S WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE EVENT ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2017, AND TO CONGRATULATE HER FOR A TRULY DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN THE PRIVATE AND NON-PROFIT SECTORS.
Whereas, Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the International President of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA), the nation's first Greek-letter organization established by African-American college women. She has come to the position with thirty-seven years of committed service to the one hundred seven-year-old organization of over two hundred eighty-three thousand members and has the distinction of being the only member to serve four consecutive terms on its international board of directors; and
Whereas, she is a long-time corporate executive in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. Most recently, Dr. Wilson was the Senior Vice President at Goodwill Industries, where she was responsible for a twenty-five million dollar enterprise in southeastern Wisconsin and metropolitan Chicago. With more than sixty thousand people served and four hundred employees, she was one of the most senior officials at the largest Goodwill affiliate in the world. She also enjoyed a distinguished career with companies such as the Xerox Corporation and SC Johnson Wax, where she was a marketing executive and became the first African American and one of the youngest women to be promoted to brand manager. An honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree (L.H.D.) was bestowed upon Dorothy in December 2015. In addition, she holds an MBA degree from Clark Atlanta University and a bachelor's degree in business administration and economics from Benedict College in Columbia. She graduated from both institutions with high honors; and
Whereas, as the first college graduate in her family, she has always been a strong proponent of higher education. She has established two endowed scholarships: The Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson Endowment for Students in Business through the AKA Educational Advancement Foundation and the Lucious and Sallie Wilson Endowed Scholarship for Students in Elementary Education, at Benedict College, which was named for her grandparents; and
Whereas, her professional excellence and notable leadership acumen have been recognized with a "Leading Change Award," "Outstanding Milwaukee Non-Profit Executive Award," and "40 Business Leaders Under 40 Award"; and
Whereas, furthermore, Dr. Wilson is a Life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. She was the chartering president for the Upsilon Mu Omega chapter in Milwaukee and later organized the chapter's Diamond Jubilee Pearls Foundation; and
Whereas, her service to AKA includes acting as chapter president, Central Region Cluster coordinator, Central Regional Director on the local and regional levels, and as international secretary and international first vice president, making her one of the longest-serving international officers on the sorority's international board of directors. Additionally, she has also served as a member of the International Program Committee, International Constitution Committee, and Chairman of the International Rules Committee, as well as secretary and first vice president of AKA's sorority's Housing Foundation and Educational Advancement Foundation; and
Whereas, for her outstanding sorority service, Dorothy has received proclamations and keys to over twenty cities, as well as recognition as Central Region Soror of the Year, Central Region Outstanding Chapter President, and the International Founders Volunteer Service Award. At the sorority's 66th International Convention, she was awarded the Carey B. Preston Leadership Award for distinguished community service, one of AKA's most prestigious honors; and
Whereas, outside of AKA, Dr. Wilson is a member of The Links Incorporated, the National Council of Negro Women, and the Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., where she is a former national officer. She lives in Milwaukee and is the dedicated and loving mother to her two adult children. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, honor and recognize Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, L.H.D., for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award during the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity's Women of Excellence event on Saturday, December 2, 2017, and congratulate her for a truly distinguished career in the private and non-profit sectors. .
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, L.H.D.
