Local NAACP 1st Vice President Ms. Sophie Dixon (left), seated with Shirleigh Moog, recipient of the 2008 NAACP Grace Dorn and Sophie Dixon Award.

from Staff reports

The Asheville branch of the NAACP recently hosted the Freedom Fund Awards Banquet celebrating the 75th anniversary of the local chapter. The keynote speaker for the evening was Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President of the North Carolina NAACP State Conference of Branches and pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church in Durham.

Dr. Barber is a graduate of North Carolina Central University and holds a Doctorate of Divinity from Duke University, and he currently serves as an adjunct professor at both universities. Dr. Barber’s speech addressed “why people should vote,” leaving the audience on their feet applauding his thought-provoking message.

This year’s Grace Dorn & Sophie Dixon Award was presented to Ms Shirleigh Moog, retired educator and former wife of the late Robert Moog, inventor of the Moog synthesizer. Ms Moog honored her mother as the motivating force behind her passion and commitment to social action. For almost twenty years she has committed her time to social change and served with such organizations as Building Bridges, UNCA’s Social Action Committee, International Link, the Unitarian Universalist Church’s Thomas Jefferson District’s anti-racism conference, the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Board of Directors, and the Asheville NAACP Community Outreach Committee. She is also a lifetime member of Asheville-Buncombe NAACP.

The Outstanding Membership Drive Award was presented to Sycamore Temple Church of Asheville.

Retired educator Mr. O.L. Sherrill, Asheville NAACP membership chair, spoke to the audience about the importance of becoming a member of the NAACP. He noted, “it is important that you consider becoming a member; the challenges and injustices are not over!”
For more information about the Asheville NAACP please contact John Hayes or Sophie Dixion at (828) 281-3066.