2023-2024 Officers & Membership

The National Alumnae Association of Spelman College (NAASC) is the official organization that supports Spelman College, a historically black college for women, through financial gifts, student recruitment, sisterhood, community service, and recognition of Spelman women. The Association provides, encourages and promotes growth and development of alumnae through leadership opportunities and partnership alliances. NAASC actively seeks to involve all former students and graduates in the fulfillment of its purpose.

Who We Are

Huntsville Area Chapter National Alumnae Association of

Spelman College

Spelman College Alumnae Association

Spelman College

Our Chapter Legacy

The Huntsville Area Chapter of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College (HAC-NAASC) in Huntsville, Alabama was organized in October 1987 and was officially chartered in 1988. The Charter members are Willie Mae Butler (d), Martha B. Crews (d), Valjean Estes, Miriam Blalock Frank, Wyndolyn D. Fuqua, Tommie Griffin-Herndon, Chinella G. Henderson, Bessie Washington Jones (d), Rosa K. Kilpatrick, Marilyn Lewis-Alim, N. Christine McMillan, Dorothy Simpson (d) and Henrene Smoot (d). Under the leadership of the first president, Rosa K. Kilpatrick, the Chapter quickly established goals and an agenda that have kept the Chapter focused on recruiting area students and supporting Spelman.

The HAC-NAASC is dedicated to uniting and promoting fellowship among Spelman women, giving financial support to the college, stimulating interest among young women to attend Spelman, and honoring Spelman women who have given exceptional professional and community service and demonstrated sustained interest in the overall welfare of Spelman College. Since the Chapter’s organization in 1987, more than 100 young women from the Huntsville area have attended Spelman College.

The HAC-NAASC has flourished under the successful leadership of the following presidents: Rosa K. Kilpatrick, Wyndolyn Fuqua, Marilyn Lewis-Alim, Vanessa Mims, Jocelyn J. Boustani, Tawnya P. Laughinghouse, Francesca D. Edwards, Cynthia Brantley, Alicia C. Redrick, Taralyn Caudle, and Zacairi Turner.

The primary goals of our chapter are recruiting promising local students to attend Spelman and providing recognition and support to all area students while they are matriculating at Spelman. An Annual Recruitment Tea is held in the fall for students from Huntsville and Madison County High Schools. Students and their parents are provided with a wealth of information on Spelman College and the opportunity to hear about the value of a Spelman education from local alumnae. Every summer the Chapter hosts a “Celebration in Blue” to recognize graduating seniors, and fellowship with matriculating students.

In 1997, the Chapter established the Bessie Washington Jones Scholarship Fund with the goal of supporting entering students with financial needs. The scholarship was established in memory of the late Dr. Bessie Washington Jones, a prominent Spelman alumna, Charter Member and recipient of the NAASC Merit Award. The scholarship honors her outstanding, long time service

as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Alabama A & M University. Five annual scholarship banquets were hosted through 2005. In 2009, the HAC-NAASC sponsored its first Spelman College Jazz Ensemble Concert. The Chapter continued hosting annual concerts for eight years drawing a wide following from the Huntsville area community and ongoing support for the Dr. Bessie Washington Jones Scholarship Fund. The Chapter proudly sponsored two Spelman Glee Club concerts in 2017 and 2018. These concerts delighted audiences and provided continued support for scholarships. HAC-NAASC has awarded 43 Bessie Washington Jones scholarships, 22 Book Awards, and 3 Emergency Assistance Scholarships totaling over $105,000 since 1998.

The HAC-NAASC proudly hosted the 2017 Southeast Regional Conference of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College. The Chapter consistently supports the activities and initiatives of NAASC and ensures a Spelman presence in the Huntsville community.

Exceptional Member Accomplishments and Service to Spelman
Bessie Washington Jones, Merit Award, 1991
Rosa King Kilpatrick, Hall of Fame Award, 2016; UNCF Hall of Honor Award, 2017
Tawnya Plummer Laughinghouse, NAASC Administrative Assistant, 2002-2004
Tawnya Plummer Laughinghouse, Merit Award, 2021
Wyndolyn Fuqua, Southeast NAASC, Delegate
Rosa King Kilpatrick served as Southeast Regional Coordinator of NAASC, President of NAASC, 2002-2004, Representative to the Board of Trustees, 2002-2004, Alumna Trustee on the Spelman Board of Trustees (2004-2007)
Nia Malone served as Student Trustee on the Spelman Board of Directors (2017-2020)

Our chapter has been privileged to have the following Spelman presidents, NAASC president, staffers, and notable alumnae attend our Chapter events:

Presidents of the College
Audrey Manley
Johnnetta B. Cole
Beverly Tatum
Mary S. Campbell

NAASC Presidents
Pearline A. Davis
Marian Rucker Shamu
Daphne Smith

NAASC Officers
Juanita Barnes, Regional Coordinator
Pamela Bigelow, Regional Coordinator
Pamela Cooper, Regional Coordinator

Spelman Staffers
Eloise A. Alexis
Jesse Brooks
Cassandra Joseph
Heather Hawes
Joseph Jennings

Notable Spelman Alumnae Visiting Chapter and City for Events
Wanda S. Lloyd
Tayari Jones
Rosalind Brewer

Contact Info

President Vice President
Wyndolyn Fuqua Jai Payton Spivey

Recording Secretary Corresponding Secretary
Gina E. Jones Pamela Gray Bailey

Treasurer Financial Secretary
Tawnya P. Laughinghouse Alicia C. Redrick

Chaplain Fundraising
Renee Knight Rosa M. Kilpatrick

Journalist

Richele J. Davis

Jocelyn Jones Boustani
Richelle Brown
Marisha K. Findley
Kimberly A. Ford
Chinella Henderson
Meteasa Henderson
LaFreeda Jordan

Marilyn Lewis-Alim

Nadriah Pitts