(ALH Live!) -- It was a sunny day for the 2010 18th annual Mason Family Fish Fry. As always, the invitation only affair was held at the personal residence of former Washington State Representative, Dawn Mason (D).
A veritable "who's who" of the Washington state politcal scene was in attendance and a good time was had by all while highlighting and raising funds to assist some very worthy causes.
One of which is the Very Bright Foundation, an organization wholly dedicated to combatting sickle cell anemia. Veronica Very, Very Bright's founder, has a personal stake in the cause for which her organization was started in that her daughter suffer's from the disease.
"But today I'm grateful," Ms. Very stated during the festivities, "because tonight my daughter is on a date!" Even so, she emphasizes the continued need to raise awareness about the disease as its numbers are still on the rise. To learn more sickle cell anemia and the Very Bright Foundation, please click the link at the bottom of this article.
Another cause highlighted at the affair was Cultural Reconnection, an international cooperative effort designed to empower African women in the areas of health and education. Cultural reconnection is spearheaded by Representative Mason and operated by Marcia Tate Arunga of Antioch University in Seattle.
On hand at the event were Cultural Reconnection Delegates Jacqueline Okoth and Roselyn Makongoso of Kenya to share how they and their country has benefitted from the groundbreaking program.
"If not for our African-American counterparts and Cultural Reconnection," stated Ms. Makongosa, "We would not have the progress we have in our country today."
Ms. Okoth agrees with that sentiment. "The women [of Cultural Reconnection] started coming in 2000 and have come back every year to make sure we have what we need."
Both professional women, Ms. Makongosa and Ms. Okoth work in Kenya as a registered nurse and social worker, respectively.
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