SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 28 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the Bethune Woman's Club, which is celebrating 80 years of dedicated service to the people of the Brazos Valley; and WHEREAS, Founded in 1945 as the Negro Woman's Club, the Bethune Woman's Club has persisted throughout the previous eight decades and has upheld the club's founding mission to support recreational, civic, and charitable work in the region; the club was renamed for Mary Jane McLeod Bethune, an African American educator who founded Bethune-Cookman College and helped to form the National Council of Negro Women; she served as vice president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and served as an advisor to multiple American presidents; and WHEREAS, Charter members first gathered in November of 1945 at the Masonic Building in Bryan; the location of the club house and youth center changed many times over the years before the club settled into its main location at the North Bryan Community Center, an effort that was achieved through a community initiative led in 1990 by longstanding club president Mrs. Mell Pruitt; and WHEREAS, In addition to serving as a recreational club for youth, the Bethune Woman's Club has sponsored many scholarships and events over the years, including an annual fall festival, a fashion fair, and a Debutante Ball and Sweetheart Ball; and WHEREAS, Mattie Robinson Carter, the club's eighth and current president, was elected in 2000; through her leadership and the devoted efforts of this exemplary group of women, the club has facilitated fund-raising and has focused on technology and creating opportunities for local residents to become digitally educated citizens and problem solvers; club members have done much for the betterment of their community, and it is indeed fitting that they receive special recognition for their service; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commend the members of the Bethune Woman's Club for their dedication to the community and extend sincere best wishes to all for continued success in the decades to come; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the club as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Schwertner ________________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on August 15, 2025. ________________________________ Secretary of the Senate ________________________________ Member, Texas Senate