The Mansfield Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, celebrated its 89th anniversary and the national organization's 100th anniversary, over the weekend at its annual Freedom Fund Banquet at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield.

More than 200 people attended the celebration which honored the rich history of the local chapter and its past presidents.

Marcia Webb, President of the Mansfield Chapter of the NAACP, said this year's theme "Bold Dreams, Big Victories - 100 Years of Advocacy," highlights the challenges, struggles and successes of the nation's oldest civil rights organization. She said there have been many victories over the last 100 years but the biggest victory was the election of the first African-American President Barack Obama.

Featured speaker, Alethea Bonello, a field organizer of the NAACP's southeast region said the organization helps all Americans, regardless of race. She said increasing membership of young professionals is just one of the goals of the NAACP. Bonello said she has been a part of the NAACP for 20 years and her passion is to help all people.

Past presidents that attended the event included Sam Belcher, Rev. Henry Washington, Cynthia B. O'Neal, Mansfield attorney Wilbur Flippin and Harold Dorsey.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and his brother Robert Brown attended the banquet, which also honored their late mother Emily Campbell Brown. A moving video tribute was shown highlighting the life of Emily Campbell Brown and her support for the local NAACP.

The first charter of the Mansfield Chapter of the NAACP was issued on Feb. 9, 1920, under the leadership of Leonard T. Wisdom.