Mary E. Singletary, President June 2003~October 2016

Mary E. Singletary had held positions of leadership all throughout her distinguished working career, so many in fact, that we are forced to mention only a few.

She was the president of the National Council of Women of the United States (NCW/US), the oldest non-sectarian women's organization in the United States. The NCW/US was founded in 1888 by such luminaries in United States history as Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, Julia Ward Howe, and Sojourner Truth. Today, the NCW/US is an accredited United Nations Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and is headquartered at the United Nations in New York City. Mary Singletary was elected President of the National Council in June 2003. This position is a logical extension of her educational endeavors and her passionate concern for the social, political and economic progress of women.

A registered nurse, Ms. Singletary graduated from St. Agnes Hospital School of Nursing in Raleigh, North Carolina and holds a B.A. degree in Health Education from New Jersey City University. She served proudly as a leader of health initiatives for women and children and the advancement of business and professional women locally, nationally and internationally.

As Director of the New Jersey Division for Women, an appointment by then Governor Thomas Kean, Ms. Singletary created a greater public awareness regarding women’s issues through public outreach and legislation. Ms. Singletary also served as the Director of the Governor North Jersey Office, an appointment by Governor Christine Todd Whitman and was accepted for continuation by Acting Governor Donald T. DeFrancesco. In this office Ms. Singletary continued to make a difference through constituent relations and special projects regarding women’s issues and concerns.
Locally Ms. Singletary was appointed to a key school board position, responsible for the Districts Magnet Schools Programs, and managing fund-raising efforts. Other positions of leadership she held during her long tenure in public life include, Director of the Planned Parenthood of Essex County, and United Nations Representative.

Ms. Singletary’s volunteer service and community involvements were wide and diverse.
Among her many endeavors at the United Nations, she represents the National Council of Women of the United States, the International Council of Women, the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC), and is the International Coordinator for the Z-HOPE International Women of Color Program for the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Ms. Singletary’s dedication to the National Council of Women of the United States, and her ability to build coalitions with other organizations, is only overshadowed by the ever-growing list of worldwide accomplishments, including:

To date 60 water wells constructed in rural villages of Ghana
A Children’s Library was established in the Cape Coast Slave Castle for children
Books, educational supplies and bags of rice have been donated to rural African villages and school lunch programs
A five-room health center built in the Village of Apatrapa, Ashanti Region, Ghana, West Africa
A 12-bed Infirmary built on the campus of Afua Kobi Ampem Secondary School for Girls in Traboum, Ghana, West Africa
Conducting a National Breast Cancer Education and Awareness - Train the Trainer Program in Ghana
Initiated "soup kitchens" in South Africa for AIDS patients
Established programs to support women, and anger management training programs for men in an effort to end domestic violence.
Ms. Singletary received numerous recognition's and honors locally, nationally and internationally for distinguished service regarding women’s issues and concerns. Among them: a citation the New Jersey's "Star Ledger" as “New Jerseyan of the Week”; Minority Business Journal as “One of the Nation’s Most Influential Black Women”; Ebony Magazine as” One of he 100 Most Influential Blacks in America”; Hispanic Women’s Task Force of New Jersey as “A pioneer for Women in the Executive Branch of State Government”; City News newspaper as ”100 Most Influential in New Jersey”; New Jersey City University as “Alumni of the Year”, and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) Board of Concerned Citizens as “Citizen of the Year.”

She was also the recipient of two Daisy S. George Awards for distinguished United Nations and International Community Service. Recent awards include: The International Community Service Award for Outstanding contributions to Rural Development in Ghana, by the National Council of Ghanaian Associations, and the International Leadership Award given by the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.