Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 204

PAGE F2 COMMUNITY 1988 AJSTRALIk JOIN US IN THE VISUAL 01 EXPERIENCE OF THE WONDER DOWN UNDER Oct. 5, 1988 7:00 PM a i Monmouth County Library, Eastern Division Rt. 35, Shrewsbury, NJ. y9fj Brought to you by WINDWARD TRAVEL, Oantas i Sj Airways Australian Pacific Tours, Queensland Tourist i umce, Australian Mrunes. 68 White Street, Red Bank, N.J.

(201)842-3535 REFRESHMENTS DOOR PRIZES. I i New Age Books Tapes Crystals Cemstone Jewelry Tarot Card Readings Therapeutic Massage Meditation Workshops Numerology A. Thursday, Sept. 29 at 7:00 pm Astrology Crystal Power by STREGA III BRING YOUR CRYSTALS! COSMIC CONNECTIONS Shirley Skinner Williams of Ocean Township sits at her desk in a 1981 photograph. Woman finds the time to better community (CentraJersey's New Age Center) 747-7177 161 Shrewsbury Red Bonk, NJ "The Wedding Book'" Presents jw'uw Oct.

5 7 P.M. Shadowbrook Route 35, Shrewsbury, NJ A Special "Sneak Preview" of Spring '89 Bridal mm svl By JEAN MIKLE Press Staff Writer Friends are always asking Shirley Skinner Williams how she finds the time. "They'll come up to me and say 'how can you do all that you do, ShirleyT Mrs. Williams said. She admitted she is sometimes hard-pressed to think of an answer.

The mother of three grown children, Ocean Township resident Mrs. Williams has been a leader in groups as diverse as the Monmouth County Council of Girl Scouts, the Central Jersey Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs and the Lambda Omega Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. "I guess my mother and father set the example for me," she said. "They showed me you can still be parents and also make an impact on your community." And Mrs. Williams has certainly made an impact.

Last month, her participation in civic and religious organizations and her leadership role in educating local children was recognized in St. Louis, where she was honored with the 1988 "Now Black Woman" award by The Drifters Inc. The award is given annually by the Drifters, a national organization of black women dedicated to promoting educational opportunities and participating in civic endeavors. Mrs. Williams, a learning disabilities resource specialist at Bradley School in Asbury Park, said she never felt her contributions to the community qualified her for the award.

"I felt extremely honored and very proud that the national organization chose me," Mrs. Williams said. "I never really felt the small things that I did qualified me for an award of this magnitude." But her 12 fellow Ocean Drifters felt Mrs. Williams' years of community involvement in made her the perfect nominee. "I was shocked and thrilled that the local chapter submitted my name," said Mrs.

Williams, 53. "And by winning the award, I feel I helped put our chapter on the map." In winning the national award, Mrs. Williams was chosen over 28 other women who were nominated by Drifters Inc. chapters throughout the country. The nominees were chosen for their participation and abilities in local chapters, national organizations, religious activities, hobbies, avocations and interests, and their personal and professional lives.

Mrs. Williams was one of nine charter members of the Ocean chapter of Drifters which was formed in 1974. The organization has since grown to 13 members who have supported various community-related groups and activities, including the March of Dimes, the American Heart Association, the West Side Community Center, Asbury Park, and the Women's Resource and Survival Center, Key-port. During the past 12 years, Mrs. Williams has served as president, vice president, public relations chairman, and historian for the Ocean chapter.

"We're 13 active and dedicated women with the purpose of serving youth and senior citizens throughout the Monmouth County area," she said. "We believe in service." And Mrs. Williams, who has served in a variety of leadership positions for organizations as diverse as the Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts, and the Central Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs has been serving the community since she and her husband, Thomas Dwayne, moved to the area in 1959. Shortly after she arrived in Monmouth County, Mrs. Williams became one of the organizers of a Girl Scout troop at the West Side Community Center, Asbury Park.

She said her involvement with scouting has given her greater rewards than any of her other activities. "I think scouting is one of the richest and most meaningful activities for young people," she said, "but there're not as many young people entering scouting today. As always, leadership is the problem." Mrs. Williams said her three children, Wanda Williams Finnie, 30, a Monmouth County lawyer, Wendy Joan, 23, a radio personality on "HOT 103-FM" in New York City, and Thomas Dwayne III, 20, a junior marketing major at Virginia State University, all benefited from their involvement in scouting. "I think my three children have succeeded because of scouting," she said.

And Mrs. Williams thinks her family has been the backbone of her own success. "I feel as though all my awards and honors have come because of my family," she said. "When there is a project to be done, the rest of the family becomes involved. It's not just me." Despite busy schedules, Mrs.

Williams said she finds time to spend with her husband, a high school principal in Trenton who also teaches freshman English at Monmouth College and has published two novels. "We make sure we find time for the relaxing moments together, the time where we can get to know each other and have fun," she said. Fashions. Also featuring a very tasteful, professional complement of Bridal Products and Services. 522 Brick Brick.

Nl Otn23 to attend Spring '89 Preview. Enclosed is my $2 00 registration fee. Name Address Space Is limited, advance registration required. Each bride-to-be is entitled to bring one guest. Only brides are eligible for prizes.

Door Prizes Refreshments Registration Fee $2.00 City, NJ, Zip Phone Date I will will not be bringing a guest (20 1 1 -477 -3W.