Les Soeurs Amiables Spring Scholarship Luncheon

By Jennifer L. Warren

WAPPINGERS FALLS – On multiple levels, Saturday marked a triple celebration for the City of Beacon.

Not only did May 3, 2025 mark what would have been the 106th birthday of long-time Beacon resident, folk singer and civil rights activist, the legendary Pete Seeger, but it also paid tribute to a long-standing, cornerstone community organization, Les Soeurs Amiable Civic Club as it celebrated its 74th Annual Spring Scholarship Luncheon as well as another birthday: the one of its President, Marilyn Cooper.

With roots that trace back to 1948, when the Club was formed by ten incredible women, Les Soeurs Amiables, affiliated with the National Association of Colored Women’s Club Inc., is immersed in year-round philanthropy. The Luncheon, supporting local Beacon High School Scholarships awarded to two graduating seniors, further serves as a platform to recognize outstanding, transformative community members. This year’s recipients were; Pastor Barbara McCaskill, Zayed (“Junior”) Dabashi, Ali Muhammad, and the Beacon Sloop Club.

“My parents would be so honored to see the Sloop Club honored (with the Legacy Award),” said Tinya Seeger, delivering words on the 1969 established community organization-inspired by her father and several volunteers- and whose mission centers upon protecting the Hudson River through a variety of proactive means. “My father believed a clean environment would lead to social justice, that there was a clear connection between civil rights and the earth’s rights, and he believed small clubs mattered and made a difference.”

That impact was visible Saturday as many of the Sloop Club’s devoted volunteers were in attendance. Five of them entertained guests, as they delivered a harmonious, unified rendition of one of Pete Seeger’s trademark melodies: “This Little Light of Mine; I’m going to make it shine.”

Another honoree, Muhammad, a social entrepreneur and architect as well as Founder and CEO of Melanin Unchained , a non-profit focused on altruistic community service , literacy development and recreational offerings, who is involved in multiple city and political organizations, doing everything in his power to uplift those who surround him as well as provide opportunities to flourish, was presented with the Humanitarian Award.

“The fact that we can continue moving forward and can come together as one people are what inspires me the most,” said Muhammad upon receiving the honor. “My parents always taught me about the importance of service to others; it’s important to be recognized, but even more so important to keep on doing the work.” He added, “Let’s keep on coming together and honoring one another.”

The Olga Galloway Award, named in memory of the Les Soeurs Amiables Civic Club’s Founder and Organizer, was presented to Pastor Barbara McCaskill. The operator of the fully licensed day care, Barbie’s Child Care, who spent four years working at Beacon’s MLK Center, has had a lifetime of rewarding community service, including past President of the Les Soeurs Club.

“Outreach to community is my passion,” remarked McCaskill. “I am grateful to Les Soeurs for this award.”

Rounding out the afternoon’s honorees, receiving the Community Service Award, was Dabashi of Key Food Marketplace. Carving out over 15 years of entrepreneurial experience, Dabashi is involved hands-on in an assortment of fundraisers as well as volunteer endeavors, many of which support our veterans. Serving on the I Am Beacon and Spirit of Beacon Boards, he is heavily invested in the community where he works.

“It’s an honor to accept such an honor, something that really means a lot to me,” Debashi said about the recognition. “I love what I do, and it makes me really happy knowing I make a difference in someone’s life any chance I can; working together with like-minded people builds a better and stronger community.”

It’s that very united mission which was at the epicenter of this year’s Luncheon theme: “Citizens Building a Better Community.” For close to three quarters of a century that laser-focus on empowering community has not wavered. The Les Soeur’s Amiables Civic Club’s Treasurer, Dorothy Medley, now in her 67th year as a member, has witnessed-and felt- so many of the indelible footprints those “small organizations” alluded to by Seeger can leave on a community.

“I consider it an honor to Chair this 74th Annual Scholarship Luncheon which helps us to support our youth and community,” said Medley. “I extend my congratulations to this year’s honorees, and I thank my Club members for their commitment to helping make this Luncheon successful.”