BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Congresswoman Kathy Castor and her staff will host their annual Black History Program on Friday, (today) at 3 p.m. The program will take place at Beulah Institutional Baptist Church.

As part of the program, Congresswoman Castor will honor Mrs. Ann Porter for her accomplishments in the community. On February 13, 2012, Congresswoman Castor said, “Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of Mrs. Ann R. Porter — and to acknowledge her contributions to education, social progress, and the Tampa Bay community.”

As a young adult, Mrs. Porter entered the workforce as the Administrative Secretary for the Tampa Urban League. It was while serving in this capacity, that she discovered her passion for the community. She served as President of the Tampa Urban League Guild and organized a group of teenagers to serve in the Urban League Group.

Mrs. Porter obtained employment with Hillsborough County and worked in several capacities. During her 32 years of service, she became the first Head Start Director under the Board of Hillsborough County Commissioners.

Mrs. Porter became a member of the Tampa Branch NAACP as a teenager. Today, she is a Heritage Life Member. “I stayed after the NAACP merger for a year. Dr. Sam Horton was one of my vice presidents and he became president after me. I learned under the Old Guard,” Mrs. Porter said.

Mrs. Porter and the late Mrs. Geraldine Barnes organized the “537 Get Out The Vote Campaign.” Under the local Democratic Party. The two women, along with other volunteers, registered countless new voters, including visiting high schools and educating teenagers about the election process.

When informed during church service that she would be honored during the program, Mrs. Porter was shocked. “I don’t know what I have done to deserve this honor.

“Everything I have done has been my passion. My work has been a labor of love. I love my community,” Mrs. Porter said.