FRANKLIN

The Pink is Powerful cancer support group will meet on Saturday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Regional Workforce Development Center of Paul D. Camp Community College.

Guest speaker for the occasion is Lula Holland, A retired colonel in the Army Reserve. She was chief nurse of the 18th Field Hospital, and served in the reserves while employed with the City of Portsmouth. Holland had retired from there as assistant director of social services. Her careers has also included being employed as a public health nurse, a school nurse and a registered nurse within a hospital.

A native of Suffolk, Holland attended elementary public schools in Isle of Wight and New York City. She dropped out of high school in New York for several years to assist her ailing mother and then returned to Suffolk.

At age 21, Holland graduated from Nansemond County Training School in Suffolk. Later, she obtained an associate degree in nursing from Norfolk State University, a bachelor of science in nursing from Hampton University and a master’s degree in social Work from NSU.

As a community servant and philanthropist, Holland remains active in the community. She is a gubernatorial appointee to the Board of Visitors for Norfolk State University, beginning her term on July 1, 2012. Additionally, she serves on the Boards of the Obici Health Foundation, Suffolk Chapter of Sickle Cell Association, and City of Suffolk Human Services Board.

In the past, she has served on the Boards of Obici Hospital, Paul D. Camp Community College, Suffolk Literacy Council, Early Childhood Development Commission, Tidewater Regional Group Home Commission and the Children’s Center and was the Chairman of City of Suffolk School Board. She is a diamond life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and financially supports educational scholarships within the Sorority. Further, she financially supports a litany of organizations’ charitable efforts to include Norfolk State University, Suffolk Chapter of Sickle Cell Association, Disabled Veterans, Paul D. Camp Community College and many others.

In acknowledgement of her dedicated service to others, Holland has received numerous awards on the local, state, regional and national levels. Most recently, she was recognized as the 2015 Veteran of the Year by the Virginia State Association I.B.O.P. Elks and the 2015 Trailblazer Award by TRUE GEMS of Suffolk. In previous years, Holland has been recognized as a 2011 Influential Woman of Virginia by Virginia Lawyers Media, Athena Award recipient by the Oldsmobile Corporation, the Woman of the Year by the Suffolk Chapter of American Association of University Women, the Delta Queen of the South Atlantic Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a recipient of  Resolutions of Recognition by the Virginia Senate, Virginia House of Delegates and the City Suffolk, and an award recipient from other organizations, institutions, and elected bodies.

Holland is an active member in her church, Laurel Hill United Church of Christ. She is the widow of Helleon O. Holland and the mother of Helivi L. Holland, Esq.

For more information, contact Audrey Lee at 556-5765 or totalcaretaxi@yahoo.com.