In 1948, after several planning sessions, a group of 39 young Negro women organized the Pittsburgh Pioneers. These women were natives of Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. Their purpose was to develop and promote cultural and social interests emphasizing their Pittsburgh heritage. Sixty-five years later the Pittsburgh Pioneers are still going strong and celebrated their anniversary on Oct. 12 at the Edgewood Country Club. Guests enjoyed a meet and greet with friends and a wonderful soul food lunch that featured turkey, pork, green beans, black-eyed peas, sweet potato casserole, creamed corn, corn bread stuffing, rolls, corn bread and peach cobbler for dessert.
Bev Smith, the queen of late night talk, served as mistress of ceremonies. Some very special musicians with decades of combined talent provided the music: Warren Watson, George “Duke” Spaulding and Dermot Winstead. After that wonderful soul food dinner it was time to get moving with line dancing led by Olivia Better-Bennett. She taught the group several new line dances including the “Blue Night Cha” to the ever-popular Blurred Lines. Cheryl McAbee served as event chair, while Carole Watson is president.
The Pittsburgh Pioneers and their families have made contributions in every field of endeavor from art to industry, science to religion, government to entertainment and through the years they have made charitable contributions to numerous nonprofit organizations.
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