By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Branch swears in new officers, set to celebrate Emancipation Proclamation anniversary
NAACP logo

Leroy Lloyd, past president of the Effingham County Branch NAACP, presided over a ceremony to swear in new branch officers in a virtual election.

Sworn in Dec. 22 for two -year executive positions that commence Friday and extend through Dec. 31, 2022, were the Rev. Delmons White as president; Henry Allen as first vice – president; Herlene White as treasurer and Gladys B. Smalls as secretary. The positions of second vice president and assistant treasurer are still open.

 In their remarks,  Lloyd and the incoming president acknowledged the energetic efforts of Edies Cope, the outgoing president of the branch. All members joined in appreciation of her.

The Effingham County Branch NAACP, along with multiple church congregations and local civic organizations, participate annually in the celebration of the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. The celebration, occurring Friday at noon, will be different, most notably because of the coronavirus pandemic. The celebration will take place as a drive-in, stay-in-car event.

The parking lot of the Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Association, 801 Central Blvd., Guyton,  will be the site for the celebration

Throughout the United States, churches and organizations celebrate President Abraham Lincoln's issuance of the executive order, named the Emancipation Proclamation, which stated Jan. 1, 1863, in part, that “all slaves in the

rebellious states shall henceforth, and forever be free.”

This executive order, issued in the midst of the Civil War, basically served as a motivating force, proclaiming that the abolition of slavery was, indeed, one of the goals of the Union's forces. Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation countered

those who claimed that the abolition of slavery was really not a Union goal.

However, it was not until the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution was ratified by three-fourths of the states that the abolition of slavery actually took place. The date was Dec. 18, 1865. The Thirteenth

Amendment stated that “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude... shall exist.”

Cope encourages all members of the extended community to participate in the celebration and cautions attendees to remain in their vehicles.