Reaching Back Foundation Gives 'Phenomenal Woman Award'

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — The Reaching Back Foundation (RBF) is honoring Dr. Stacy L. Henderson-Shaw with the "Phenomenal Woman Award."

The not-for-profit organization has a mission to support, nurture and empower organizations and individuals that promote the welfare, development and educational opportunities for African-American children, youth and families, according to RBF.

The primary RBF fundraising event is the "Phenomenal Woman awards" event, held in even numbered years since 2006. This event recognizes nominated women who embody the RBF vision within their community and area of expertise.

"Simply being nominated to receive such prestigious recognition is an honor. To be counted alongside the other phenomenal women is a humbling experience. My life's purpose is serving others, and I am committed to my calling," Dr. Henderson-Shaw told Patch.

The doctor is a proud mother of two and a retired naval officer with over 25 years of military service and experience. She is an international best-selling author with two publications in the White House Library. Shaw speaks four languages and has performed voice-overs for television and radio commercials and the Paramount movie "SpongeBob SquarePants The Sequel: A Sponge Out of Water." She is known as "The Voice of Navy Recruiting" for her on-air radio promotional ads for the U. S. Navy.

Shaw is a domestic violence survivor turned advocate. She has worked on projects with Lifetime Television, TV-One, BET, and OWN producing docu-series highlighting the stories of domestic abuse survivors and their healing and recovery journeys. She worked on Congressional initiatives to get tougher abuse perpetrator laws enforced (Violence Against Women Act: Clinton and Obama Administrations) and she is active with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

The Savannah State University (HBCU) Alum is active with the White House initiative for Excellence in Education for African-Americans. She is a voting squad captain with the Michelle Obama "When We All Vote" initiative. Shaw is the senior Naval science instructor (SNSI) at Bloom Township High School — the first African-American and the first woman to hold the position since its inception in 2002. In addition, she is the dean of the Christian leadership school at Christ Temple Baptist Church.

The RBF organization has supported various programs and activities designed for children and youth including its annual Summer Fun Book donations to promote summer reading for 1,000 underprivileged children; book-bag scholarships for needy college students; and 12 years of support for the Baptist Schools Complex and Orphanage in Koforidua, a children’s orphanage in Ghana, West Africa.

For more information on the organization and Shaw, visit the website.