Deborah “Beechie” Witcher Jackson is a proud Texan who relocated to Bergen County, NJ in December 1995.  She is a 16 year member of the Junior League of Bergen County and was involved in the following JLBC initiatives:

• Kids in the Kitchen” a National AJLI program addressing healthier eating and youth obesity;
• Touch a Truck;
• Paterson Library Bookfest (giving away books to kids/youth in Paterson, NJ);
• Boys & Girls Club Lodi’s “Keystone Program” which provides leadership development opportunities for youth. It was thru her friendship with now celebrity Financial Literacy Expert, Tiffany Aliche “The Budgetnista” presented to the youth “Money Management for Teens.”

JLBC and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. have similar missions: to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.  She joined the Bergen/Passaic Chapter of NCBW in 1996 and within one year, served as Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary. Within 3 years of her membership, was elected to her first term as Chapter President.  She is affectionately known as “Madam X” by her NCBW members.  This is because she served 5 terms as President, for a total of 10 years, making her the longest serving Bergen/Passaic Chapter President.  During her tenure, she received various awards and accommodations, some of her proudest being the Bergen/Passaic Chapter of the Year Award from National NC100BW; Garden State Woman of the Year in Non-Profits from the Garden State Woman Education Foundation; Cambridge Who’s Who in Non-Profits, and the National Sojourner Truth Meritorious Service Award from the local chapter of the Negro Business & Professional Women’s Club.  Served on various committees: NJ Governor’s Women Conference Steering Committee (Governors Corzine and Christie); New York National Women’s Heart Day Advisory Committee; Planning Committee @ The Schomberg Harlem USA for “RESPECT: When Did we Lose it? How Do we Get it Back.”

Beechie has a deep concern for and participation in all activities advancing and elevating the status of women and girls.  She is now in JLBC Sustainer membership status and Emeriti status with NCBW.

Some Achievements during presidency NCBW Bergen/Passaic Chapter:

• Graduate of Leadership Teaneck
• Wynona M. Lipman Award for Mentoring Program, NJ Department of Community Affairs’ Division on Women, NJ Advisory Commission on the Status of Women
• Habitat for Humanity’s Women Raise the Roof Project in Paterson, NJ
• WNBA/Hallmark NY Liberty “Women Who Inspire Award”
• Spirit of King Woman of Excellence Award
• Advocacy Award from Teaneck Councilwoman and former Mayor Lizette Parker
• Supported various organizations: YWCA Bergen County, March of Dimes, American Heart Association, Ft. Lee Film Commission n/k/a Barrymore Film Center; National Black Child Development Institute Board (Paramus, NJ) Chapter, NAACP, Urban League