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The National Association
for the Advancement of Colored People was
founded in 1909 by a diverse group of
individuals concerned about racial equality
and race relations in America. It is the
oldest and largest civil rights group in the
country. The Elmira-Corning branch of the
NAACP was established in 1919. Georgia
Verdier of Corning has been president of the
local chapter since the late 1990s.
Star-Gazette staff writer Jeff Murray
interviewed Verdier for this feature.
Question: How did you get involved in the
NAACP?
Answer: I'm an NAACP baby. Most of my
family in Indiana were life members, so we
were grounded in that. So I have been
involved for as long as I can remember.
Q: Who can belong to the NAACP?
A: People come in all colors. The
NAACP can embrace all. Our mission is geared
toward mankind. A lot of our members are
Caucasian. We have people from all walks of
life.
Q: What does the local chapter do to
promote racial equality and harmony?
A: We have numerous committees that
address what the national organization asks
us to focus on. They are education and
youth, health, legal redress/criminal
justice and political activism. We happen to
live in a very education- oriented
community. We do a lot of programs in terms
of education.
Q: How many members do you have, and do
you need more?
A: We have about 300 members.
Membership is the lifeblood of an
organization. That comes before fundraising.
We never forget whence we came and what got
us here. Membership is key.
Q: You have a full-time job with the
state Office of Mental Health. How much time
do you devote to your duties as NAACP
chapter president?
A: I try to keep those separate. I
keep this business off-site so nobody can
accuse me of doing this business on the job.
I spend about as much time on this
organization as I spend on my job. There's a
lot of night work. I'm committed. You lead
by example. If you take on a role like this,
you give it all you have.
Q: Is there still racism in America and
in our area?
A: I can say this - racism and
discrimination have been here as long as
we've been here. My challenge is what are we
going to do in spite of it.
If each of us becomes the best we can be,
maybe we can wipe out some of the hatred.
It's still alive and growing in some places.
Racism is so ingrained, it's almost part of
the fabric of society.
Q: Who are your favorite role models?
A: I see Oprah Winfrey as a good role
model. Oprah has done some magnificent
things. Tiger Woods is doing a lot with his
foundation. There are a lot of athletes who
have set up foundations.
Just for fun:
Q: When you aren't juggling your job and
NAACP duties, what do you like to do in your
leisure time?
A: I like to travel. So when I get
away, I do leave my agendas behind. I don't
take work with me. It's just healing time.
I'll go anywhere. I was able to go to South
Africa. I was there for the 40th anniversary
civil rights march in Alabama. You just say
to me "Let's go," and I'm ready.
Q: What else do you enjoy?
A: I enjoy working with young people.
I get a lot of joy out of that. Even though
it's work, but it's pleasure for me. |
