BY GEORGETTE P. WARD
EUSTIS – Criterion Civic Club, Inc., a professional women’s club celebrated Founder’s Day, an annual event, Sunday, March 26, 2023 at Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church at 725 E. McDonald Avenue, Eustis, Florida 32726.
Richard E King, Senior Pastor at St. James, presided over the service. During the service Ms. Carla Mitchell, a Criterion Civic Club member, made a historical presentation of the women’s club which was organized in 1954 by a group of accomplished professional Black Women. She acknowledged on a first name basis many of the organization’s Founder’s children and relatives that were present.
Ms. Nicie Parks, the Founder’s Day Committee Chair, vividly described the life of the 99-year-old honoree, Ms. Elsie Broomfield. Ms. Broomfield was the Criterion president from 1990 to 1992. She was an inspiring and well-respected educator at various schools in Lake County. Many of her previous students who have become educators recently helped to secure her legacy with the placing of her name on the new culinary department at Eustis High School.
Ms. Broomfield attends Saint James AME Church.
Reverend LeVerk Youman, the guest speaker, spoke from the Old Testament Book of Isaiah 40:21- 31 “Have ye not known? Have ye not heard?… But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…”
“The program was wonderful as we honored our oldest in age member,” remarked Ms. Brenda Major Jones, Co-Chairman of the Founder’s Day Committee.
The Criterion Civic Club, Inc. concluded their Founder’s Day event with fellowship and great eats with a luncheon at Lakefront Bar and Grill in Eustis.
