The special recognition was presented during the 2026 Green’s Ladies Invitational in celebration of the club’s history, service and lasting impact.
The Green’s Ladies Golf Club, Inc. was honored with a commemorative Liberty Bell from the Office of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker during the 2026 Green’s Ladies Invitational.
The recognition was presented on behalf of the Mayor’s Office by Dana Bates-Jenkins and accepted by Green’s Ladies Golf Club President Dr. Veronica Florence-McPherson.
The presentation marked a special moment during the Invitational as members, golfers, supporters and guests gathered to celebrate fellowship, community and the continuing legacy of Black women in golf.
As one of Philadelphia’s most recognizable symbols, the Liberty Bell represents freedom, perseverance and the ongoing pursuit of equality. Its presentation to The Green’s Ladies carries particular meaning for a club founded by Black women who created opportunities for themselves at a time when racial and gender barriers limited their access to golf courses, organizations and competitive play.
The City of Philadelphia describes the Liberty Bell as a symbol whose message has inspired abolitionists, suffragists and justice-seekers throughout history. For The Green’s Ladies, receiving a Liberty Bell from the Mayor’s Office honors both the club’s historic beginnings and the generations of women who have sustained its mission.
A Philadelphia Legacy Since 1954
The Green’s Ladies Golf Club was organized in Philadelphia on May 1, 1954, as the first African American women’s golf club in the Delaware Valley.
Founder Lorraine Sawyer and charter members Opal C. Shields, Alma Fay Horn, Mary Francis Simpson, Lubertha Slocum, Lillian Cherry, Ann Wilson and Gladys Gray established the club to ensure that Black women had a place to learn, play and compete in golf.
More than seven decades later, The Green’s Ladies continues to build upon that foundation through golf, fellowship, community service, charitable giving and support for the broader golf community.
The Mayor’s Office recognition celebrates not only the longevity of the organization, but also its role in expanding the presence and visibility of Black women in the game. It honors every member who has helped preserve the club’s history while preparing the way for the women who will follow.
The Green’s Ladies Golf Club extends its sincere appreciation to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office and Dana Bates-Jenkins for this meaningful recognition.
The Liberty Bell will remain a treasured symbol of the club’s Philadelphia roots, its pioneering founders and its commitment to making a positive impact on and beyond the golf course.
Photo caption: The Green’s Ladies Golf Club President Dr. Veronica Florence-McPherson accepts a commemorative Liberty Bell presented by Dana Bates-Jenkins on behalf of the Office of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker during the 2026 Green’s Ladies Invitational.
