Comatha Johnson is presented with Lillian Parks Thomas Award
By Steve Herring
Published in News on July 27, 2016 1:46 PM
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Comatha Boyette Johnson holds the Lillian Parks Thomas Award from the Continental Societies recognizing her years of service and leadership.
Comatha Boyette Johnson has been presented the Lillian Parks Thomas Award, the Continental Societies' highest and most prestigious honor, in recognition of her four decades of uninterrupted service, vision and outstanding leadership.
The award is presented in even years to the society member who exemplifies the life, work and commitment of the late Lillian Parks Thomas, the national organization's first president.
Ms. Johnson was congratulated by Beyonce's mother, Tina Knowles Lawson, and her stepfather, actor Richard Lawson, honorary chairpersons of the Legends Ball where the award was presented.
Ms. Johnson is president of the Goldsboro chapter that nominated her.
A national awards committee reviews the nominees. Only one award is presented nationwide.
Ms. Johnson also was the recipient of the Dedicated Service Award and accepted a special recognition award presented to the Goldsboro chapter for its 55 years of devoted service to the youth of Wayne and surrounding counties.
The honors were presented at the Continental Societies Inc.'s 60th annual conclave held June 22 to 26 in Las Vegas.
Continental Societies, Inc. is an international public service organization dedicated to the socio-economic and cultural welfare of children and youth with special needs or who may be considered underprivileged.
"She (Mrs. Parks) was really a trailerblazer," Ms. Johnson said. "She helped develop a lot of the guidelines and the rituals in the early years of the organization. The organization is 60 years old this year, so we were celebrating our 60th anniversary in Las Vegas.
"I love working with children. I love what our mission is, and that is to serve the underprivileged and undeserved children and youth focusing on our five-point thrust which is health, education, employment, recreation and the arts and humanities. I am grateful because I know that we have benefited thousands of kids with services and scholarships."
Ms. Johnson is also a member of local and national halls of fame.
At the local level, she implemented a hall of fame and the Gertrude A. Cox Outstanding Service Award named for the late Ms. Cox, who was the organizer and first president of the Goldsboro chapter.
Under Ms. Johnson's leadership as chapter president and the longest-serving Mid-Atlantic Regional director, both the chapter and region have achieved success, been recognized for awarding scholarships to hundreds of students, and for unwavering service and devotion to thousands of children and youth.
Also under her leadership five national presidents have participated in local and regional events.
As regional director, Ms. Johnson implemented the mentor/educate concept designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the chapter membership.
The Sisterhood Legacy Award was established and is the highest award given to a member in the region.
She also instituted the Continental Exra-Effort Award and Cooperation and Commitment Award designed to recognize members who distinguish themselves through dedicated services at the local and regional level.
Ms. Johnson also introduced the Service to Youth Award to recognize chapters for exemplary service to a significant number of children and youth in their respective communities.
She created the Volunteer of the Year Award to recognize individuals or groups unaffiliated with Continental Societies, Inc., but have provided special assistance and support to a chapter.
The Comatha B. Johnson Outstanding Member/Leadership Award was named in her honor by the region in 2011.
Ms. Johnson has served as a national officer, chairperson and committee member of numerous national committees.
As the co-chairperson of the newly formed Chapter Management Committee, she was instrumental in developing guidelines designed to assist chapters in resolving challenges that impact their effectiveness,
She currently serves as a member of the National Conclave and Chapter Expansion committees and also is National Credentials chairperson.