2024 Achievers Journal Digital - Flipbook - Page 26
43 RD annual affair of honor
Special Acknowledgements
Phyllis Fields
PLATINUM MEMBER
Phyllis Louise Mickens was born in Washington D.C. and graduated from
Howard University, earning her Bachelor’s Degree. Phyllis continued her
studies at the New York School of Social Work at Columbia University,
receiving a Master’s Degree in Social Work. During her time of study at
Columbia, her future husband was in the Army in Maryland. She and William
eventually both moved back to Washington D.C., married, and had two
daughters, Sharon and Vicki. After William completed Dental School they
relocated to Los Angeles. Within a year their third child William was born. They
were married for over 50 years before William Sr. passed.
Phyllis was a stay-at-home mom, worked at Los Angeles General Hospital as a counselor and an administrator
then at the County of Los Angeles, auditing court mandated programs ensuring compliance within County
guidelines. Her social activities include membership in; Jack and Jill of America, the Dental Wives Couples
Club, Wilfandel Club at the Ebell, Ebony Guild and Circle-Lets, Inc.
In 1969 she joined the Angel City Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, where she is the only active Platinum
Member. She has served in many elected positions including President (2 terms) and on committees. She is
most proud of the Achiever Program which was developed because of her observation of the lack of programs
for highly motivated African American Males.
Notably Phyllis is a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and the voice of the Achiever Program.
Alice Bowens
IN MEMORIAM
Alice E. Desobry, a New Orleans native, graduated from Xavier University
in 1959, and began her teaching career. During the next several years, she
taught in New Orleans and directed Girl Scouts camps in Louisiana and New
York. In 1962 she took an assignment for the Department of Defense in
Regenburg Germany. When Alice returned to the States she relocated to
Los Angeles and began teaching for the Los Angeles Uni昀椀ed School District.
During her long career, she was devoted to helping others excel beyond the
classroom. She was instrumental in establishing the Mentor Teacher Of昀椀ce
in 1984. Her efforts lead to the Mentor Teacher Program and the Teacher
Training Academy which resulted in the training of countless new teachers and left a legacy of excellence in
the Los Angeles Uni昀椀ed School District.
Upon her retirement in 2000, Alice continued her passion for education with the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation, the Advisory Board for LA’s BEST, served as board member at Antioch University, LA as part of
the teacher education program. She was a student and advocate for the arts, serving and chairing on the board
of the California African American Museum, and the Center Theater Group. She was also an active member
of the Angel City Links.
Alice was a dedicated wife, married to Alvin Bowens, an amazing mother to Desbory Bowens and a devoted
grandmother to her two grandsons. Alice Desbory Bowens was the epitome of her motto:
“Excellence Without Arrogance.”
43RD Annual
The achievement
trust
26
Affair of Honor
