HUNTINGTON -- Dozens of area residents celebrated the 100th anniversary of the NAACP on Saturday night at the annual fundraiser for the Huntington-Cabell branch.

Current branch president Sylvia C. Ridgeway was joined by four other past presidents who spoke about the significant achievements by both the national and local organization. Former president Dolores Johnson also reminded the audience why the fundraiser is so important.

"Funding is always important because you need money to carry on the programs to work with people," Johnson said.

Johnson and others said the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is much broader than what the name meant a century ago. The organization has helped advance the rights of blacks, women and immigrants, she said.

"We have a come a long way in our struggles for equality," Ridgeway added. "There was a time when my highest job could be a secretary, which I was. Now I'm a retired teacher with a master's degree."

Joining the local delegation was Coston Davis, the state director of the NAACP. He said it is important to support the local branches, and especially so during the 100th year celebrations.

"(100 years) means credibility," Davis said. "Very few organizations or businesses make it to 100 years. Businesses fold and organizations fall of. We're looking forward to the next 100 years."

Among the former presidents who spoke were the Rev. Paul Franklin Willis Sr., Pastor Samuel R. Moore and Michael Thomas.

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Bill Rosenberger/ The Herald-Dispatch

The Huntington-Cabell Branch of the NAACP held its annual fundraiser at Memorial Student Center Saturday night. The speakers included, from left, Pastor Samuel Moore, Coston Davis, Sylvia Johnson, Michael Thomas, Dolores Johnson and Paul Willis Sr.

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