One of RWAM’s favorite Women 2 Watch is Dr. Lois Keith. She is an amazing woman. When I met her I saw the essence of Grace and Beauty. I saw a Lady. It’s a word and title that is rarely used in these times. Allow me to introduce you to Dr. Lois Keith. She is a Women we need to continue to Watch.
Dr. Lois Keith is a graduate of Alabama A&M University where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education with a major in Mathematics and a minor in General Science. She received her Master’s in Middle School Education from Georgia State University and she also studied at Mercer University. She had a stellar teaching career with the Henry County School System for 30 years. She served as the Math Department Chair and Beta Club Sponsor. She received many accolades to include Teacher of the Year 1991-92 and 2000-2001, nomination to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and the Principal’s Award 1995-1996 to name a few.
Mrs. Keith is actively involved in the National Council of Negro Women where she has dedicated so much of her life to its mission and its purpose which is be an advocate for women and children. She joined the DeKalb Section immediately after its inception and has unselfishly served the DeKalb Section as President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary and as Parliamentarian. She has served on many committees chairing many of the major projects spearheaded by her Section. In addition to serving the DeKalb Section of NCNW, she has served on the national level of NCNW as a member of the National Nominating Committee, National Recertification Committee, National Assistant Secretary, National Membership Chair serving at the pleasure of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height and the immediate past chair, Ms. Ingrid Saunders Jones. She treasures the rich experiences she has enjoyed serving NCNW and particularly the time she spent being mentored by the late Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, past President and Chair Emerita of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. In 2016 at the 57th National Convention of NCNW, she was honored to have served as co-chair of the convention and she was elected to the position of Vice President of NCNW. She served as the chair of the Membership Drive Initiative Committee and is serving as the co-chair of REACH, a membership initiative. Also, she is currently serving as a member of the National HBCU College Tours per the request of the current NCNW President, Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole. In addition, Mrs. Keith is a chartered member of the DeKalb Pacesetters Life Guild, NCNW where she has served as Vice Chair and Secretary. She received a proclamation from the State of Georgia for her service to NCNW and to the community. On August 16, 2014, she was honored to have been the keynote speaker at the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony at the new and first public Dorothy I. Height Elementary School in the state of Georgia. On August 3, 2015, she was again honored to have been the keynote speaker at the Inaugural Installation Service for the Dorothy I. Height Quad Section Counties Section in Indianola, Mississippi. On December7, 2014 at the 4th Annual Signature Christmas Gala sponsored by the DeKalb Section of NCNW which she births, she became the first recipient of the Lois Keith Trailblazer Award for Exemplary Community Service, an award which was named in her honor. Also, in 2014 she was awarded the Living the Legacy Award. In 2016, she received the first Inaugural Chairman’s Movers and Shakers Award from the state of Georgia NCNW. In 2016, she appeared in a documentary bringing awareness to Sex Trafficking involving women and girls and in 2016, she received a Resolution from the Los Angeles, CA City Council for her remarkable years of service and thanks for her humanitarian efforts and contributions. In 2017, she received an award from the Metropolitan Sun Section of Arizona and a presentation from the United Postal Service of Greater Indiana District. On March 29, 2018, she received a Hidden Figure Award from DeKalb County Commissioner Greg Adams for her outstanding community service during Women History Month. On April 28, 2018, she received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from American Bible University.
Mrs. Keith served as a member of the Metro Atlanta Health Equality/ Multicultural Leadership Committee and she is a member of the Georgia and Henry County Retired Educators Association where she served as President of HCREA. In addition, she is a chartered member of the East Metro Orchids, a civics and service organization where she served as the chartering secretary and is currently serving as 2nd Vice President. She is a member of Xi Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and in 1980 she was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi National Honor Society. She is a chartered member of the Classy Sassy Red Hatters where she is currently the Queen Mom. She is a chartered member of the NewRock Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction where she serves as the chartering secretary. She serves as the NCNW Chair for Area IV of Top Ladies of Distinction. She proudly served on the DeKalb County’s Zoning Board of Appeal where she represented Super District 7. She is a seven-year student of Bible Study Fellowship, an International Bible Study. She is a member of the Move of God Church in Atlanta, GA. She and her husband Lonnie enjoy traveling and they have one son, Darius.
