Davis attends NAUW conference

Velma Davis of Ville Platte attended the National Association of University Women - South Central Section 57th South Central Sectional Conference June 16-18 in Houston, Texas.
Davis graduated from Grambling University with a Bachelor’s of Science in secondary education - social studies. She also has a special education certificate from Southern University. She has been a NAUW member for 21 years, and she is a member of the Opelousas NAUW chapter. She is the only chapter member from Ville Platte.
Q: Why did you join NAUW?
A: NAUW is a university graduates society organization for those who have at least a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science. Only women can join. I like the traveling part of being a member and the fellowship. Each year we have the conference in a different part of the state or in a different state. You build a family and every year, you see people you have met over the years.
Q: What was behind the “Green in 2016” conference theme?
A: The colors of the organization are green and white, so all the members wore green at the conference. One year the conference was in Baton Rouge, Red Stick, so the conference theme was “Paint the Town Red,” and everyone wore red.
Q: What are some of the achievements of the NAUW South Central Section?
A: Each year, we have a workshop on heart health and HIV/AIDS. Last year, we partnered with other organizations to host a symposium for boys and girls in the community ages 12 to 18. I donate books to the public elementary local schools in Ville Platte. I’m retired, but I am still very involved with contributing to the schools.
Q: What did you enjoy about the conference?
A: I enjoyed seeing old friends and new friends. The conference also had some of the best workshops I have been to as well. It’s nice to branch out and learn what other chapters are doing and maybe use some of those practices in our community. A member from each chapter comes up and says what they are doing in their community, things like fundraisers and donations of school uniforms. We also get to explore the town the conference is in.
Q: Did you attend any conference workshops?
A: I attended three workshops during the conference — one on leadership, one on nutrition and another on living better. The leadership workshop was given by three female lawyers. It was very good and interesting. They talked about accountability. The better living workshop was about how to secure money to buy a home and how to secure grants to have a better life.