Black Couple Sets Guiness Book Record with 84-year Marriage

Liz Bowles/Sun Journal

A Craven County couple are in the Guinness World Records book. The two did nothing outlandish such as sky-diving upside down, dancing for days, taking the longest lawn mower ride or having the most tattoos. No, Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher of the Brownsville community have been married for more than 84 years. That is a feat in itself. They have the world record of the longest marriage for a living couple.

They can thank their granddaughter Iris Godette for getting the recognition. She submitted the information to the Guinness Book of Records. The information was apparently checked by Guinness and a certificate was given to the couple.

Herbert was born June 10, 1905. His hearing is going but his mind is sharp. Zelmyra was born Dec. 10, 1907. She uses a walker to get around the house and yard. The two of them can still give their reasons for marrying on May 13, 1924.

“He was not mean; he was not a fighter,” Zelmrya said. “He was quiet and kind. He was not much to look at but he was sweet.”

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The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 was passed by the Senate, and will now go to the President for his signature!

Hat tip to the Child Welfare League

For the first time, federal foster care assistance will be available to kinship and relative caregivers. Also, over time, eligibility for federal adoption assistance will no longer be tied to the non-existent Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program.

The legislation was introduced by Representatives Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Jerry Weller (R-IL) in the House. Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking member Charles Grassley (R-IA) led the effort in the Senate.

Kinship care is recognized as an effective way to increase stability and permanency for children who cannot stay with their parents. Living with relatives such as grandparents or aunts and uncles provides safety and a loving environment.

Language in the bill over time de-links eligibility for adoption assistance to the old AFDC program. This will make all special needs adoptions eligible for federal assistance and will encourage many more adoptions.

Other significant reforms in the legislation include opening federal training resources to private non-profit child welfare agencies, providing Native American child welfare organizations with direct access to federal foster care and adoption assistance, and providing states the option of extending foster care eligibility for youth up to age 21 from 18. Also included in the legislation are improvements regarding education and health services for children in the foster and child welfare system.

The legislation will mark a significant turn around in support for our most vulnerable children, youth, and families. We call on the President to sign this bill as soon as it arrives on his desk.

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Wichita NAACP partnering with Youthville to host our first annual "New Beginnings" Young Women's retreat

On August 22nd and 23rd, the Wichita Branch NAACP in partnership with Youthville will host a 2-day retreat for 8 teen-mothers between the ages of 14 and 18. The 8 young ladies who will attend this inaugural retreat are just a few of the many youth currently in the foster care/SRS system.

The retreat will focus on teaching life-skills and mentoring and we hope to connect each of the young ladies to role models who they can turn to for advice and counsel long after the retreat has ended.

A very impressive line-up of presenters has been invited to address the young ladies; including our very own Lavonta Williams (Retired Educator, and City Council member), Sandra Rankin (Retired Psychologist), Kenya Cox (Congressional Liaison, Junior League Advocacy and Training committee chair, Dwight D Eisenhower Excellence in Public Service Board of Governors, etc...) Melody McCray-Miller (Entrepreneur, and Representative for the 89th District in the Kansas House) and many others...

This event was the brain-child of Ms. Carolyn Wallace and Mary Dean and will be the first of what will become an annual series designed to address the social and family issues facing the African American community.

Tech Tags: Youth Family+Services Child+welfare NAACP

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