Area I Leads: Legacy, Equity, Accountability, Diversity, and Service Ready to Elevate On All Levels

Rhonda Harris has been ratified as the National Area One Director by the National Board of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.(TLOD) at the 23rd Syn-Lod National Convention on July 9, 2023, in Los Angeles. She stands at the helm of Area One, the largest region, which encompasses the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

According to Harris, her 23-year TLOD love story of service is one she has never regretted. "I have served with the spirit of excellence and a passion for TLOD, our motto, and our mission. I appreciate the dedication and perseverance of the eight Ladies who founded TLOD: Ladies Ozell Dean, the only survivor, Franchell Boswell, Ina Bolton Brown, Augusta Cash Latham, Willie Lee Glass, LaVerne R. Madlock, Ruth Payne Smith, and Georgia Bell Presswood Nelson," she said.

Harris, the 16th National Area One Director, has released her Area One Theme: "Area I LEADS: Legacy, Equity, Accountability, Diversity, Legacy, and Service - Ready to Elevate on All Levels". "Organizations that embrace diversity, equity and inclusion not only increase membership, but also improve membership retention along with greater readiness for innovation," she said.

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Rhonda Harris, Ratified as New National Area One Director, is poised to lead Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Area One, from the purview of Harris, must weave genuine inclusion into the fabric of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. * that is, ensure that every Top Lady and Top Teen are involved, empowered, and valued within every chapter," she said. With leadership as her signature combined with a deep passion for promoting community service programming, she will lead the way to further advance the mission of TLOD that is in its 59th year.

"Whenever I am assigned a task, new position, or placed on a committee, I am reminded of my first conference on March 4, 1999, and I reflect on the fact that it is, has been, and will always be my honor to serve TLOD," she said.

Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. is a national professional and humanitarian organization based in Houston, Texas, Top Ladies of Distinction has approximately 7,000 members and 111 individu chapters throughout the United States.

Top Ladies of Distinction has many programs and projects providing solutions for social issues and improving underserved communities. This includes anti-bullying initiatives and mentoring for youth. Requirements for local chapters include a teen program (referred to as Top Teens of America) and collaboration with local senior citizen facilities. Teen programs include teaching conflict resolution, personal finance, and coping skills. The group also raises funds for and supports other organizations that have included St. Jude, the NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, and UNCF.