Bethaida "Bea" Gonzalez, dean of University College, and Linda Littlejohn, associate vice president, South Side Initiative, are among eight local women of
accomplishment who will be honored for their achievements by the 100 Black Men of
Syracuse Inc. Interest Group during the group's inaugural honors dinner dance,
"Celebrating Women Making a Difference," at Onondaga Community College on
Saturday, Dec. 6.
Vincent Love, president of 100 Black Men of Syracuse, says this year's event honors
individuals who have worked toward improving the quality of life and enhancing
educational and economic opportunities. "Our selection committee felt that each one
of these women has demonstrated in their own particular way the type of
achievement and community activism that young people can emulate," Love says.
"It is our desire to honor their commitment, determination and dedication to making
this a better community."
In addition to Gonzalez and Littlejohn, honorees include Vicki Brackens, senior
financial planner with Brackens Financial Solutions Network; Mary Nelson, founder
of the Youth Day Barbecue school supply giveaway program; Jackie Grace-Rasheed,
co-founder and co-director of the former Grace Children's Academy and principal of
Roxboro Road Elementary School in North Syracuse; Jackie Robinson, news anchor
at WSTM-TV; Sharon Jack-Williams, executive director of the Dunbar Center; and
Amatullah Yamini, real estate developer and owner of Salina Shoe Salon.
Gonzalez has more than 20 years' experience in continuing education and a
distinguished record of public service, and currently serves as president of the
Syracuse Common Council. Appointed dean at University College (UC) of Syracuse
University in 2007, Gonzalez was previously interim dean and associate dean at UC,
the home of part-time studies at SU. She joined the University in 1987 as an
academic advisor.
She has been elected to public office three times. In 2001, Gonzalez became the first
Latino/a to be elected president of the Syracuse Common Council. Previously, she
served on the Syracuse City School District's Board of Education, chairing the
Alternative Education Committee.
Gonzalez was named a Hispanic American of Distinction in New York state and an
Unsung Heroine by the Central New York National Organization of Women. In
2005, she was honored by Peace Action of Central New York for "building bridges to
peace." Gonzalez also received an SU Chancellor's Citation for Service and the SU
Women of Influence Award. In 2006, she received the "Entre Nosotras" Award,
followed by the YWCA Academy of Diversity Achievers Award in 2007. She received
the YWCA Spirit of American Women Award in October.
Littlejohn received her undergraduate degree from SU in 1980, and then M.PA. and
M.S.W. degrees in 1982, both also from SU.
After graduation, Littlejohn worked as the assistant planner for the Area Agency on
Aging in Ohio. She later moved to New York City and worked for Jamaica Service
Program for Older Adults-a community-based social service agency. In 1990, she
returned to SU. In 1992, she was appointed the assistant dean of SU's School of
Social Work. Several years later, she became the assistant dean of the SU College of
Human Services and Health Professions. In 2005, Chancellor and President Nancy
Cantor appointed Littlejohn as the first black woman associate vice president at the
University.
Littlejohn's leadership of the Syracuse University South Side Initiative has resulted in
many successful projects that assist with revitalizing the South Side community.
Through projects that address community needs in the areas of technology,
education, communication, arts and culture, and health and wellness, she is working
with residents and community organizations like the Southside Community
Coalition, Dunbar Association, Onondaga Public Library, Onondaga Historical
Association, CNY Works, GroundWorks Capital Coalition, Home Headquarters,
Matilda Jocelyn Gage House, and UMI and Associates to build community capacity
and neighborhood cohesiveness.
The 100 Black Men of Syracuse Inc. is a two-year old group that is seeking to become
a local chapter of 100 Black Men of America Inc. In the future, the group plans to
expand this annual fundraising event to honor businesses, public and private
agencies, and other civic organizations.
For more information about the honors event or the 100 Black Men of Syracuse
organization, contact Love at 443-8749 or love@nscsd.org.
