New York Continental Societies, Inc.

06/19/2026

06/19/2026

The New York Chapter of the Continental Societies Incorporated took care of business while honoring Juneteenth and Sickle Cell Awareness Day by backing blankets, socks and toiletries for the Sickle Cell Awareness Foundation based in Queens, NY.

06/19/2026

Celebrating Juneteenth with a shout-out to Continental Societies Inc., Metropolitan Philadelphia Area Chapter Continental Societies Inc.- Montgomery County, Maryland Chapter

06/17/2026

Happy Juneteenth!!! Love ❤️🤍💚

06/17/2026

Today we spotlight…Lyda D. Newman (fl. 1892–1925) was a hairdresser and inventor who was also an activist for women's suffrage. She held a patent for a novel hairbrush.

In the 1890s, Newman invented a hairbrush which contained evenly spaced rows of bristles with open slots to clear debris away from the hair and into a recessed compartment in the back. The brush had a button which allowed the bristle holder to be removed from the back for cleaning.

The U.S. patent 614,335 was filed on July 11, 1898, and granted on November 14, 1898. The hairbrush she invented was described in her patent as "simple and durable in construction" and being "very effective when in use". Modern hairbrushes still use Newman's design, with the only changes being aesthetic. Newman's invention changed the hair-care industry, due to the fact that her design made hairbrushes less expensive, easier to manufacture, and effective to use on textured hair.

Newman was an organizer for women's suffrage in the early 20th century. As a suffragist, she canvassed New York City neighborhoods, hosted street meetings to educate passing people, and opened the Negro Suffrage Headquarters in Manhattan.

06/16/2026

New York Continentals giving a shout out to Continental Societies, Inc., Montgomery Chapter

06/16/2026

The New York Chapter Employment Committee continued its outreach by placing oral health and wellness resources directly into the hands of students and families. The distribution of prepared kits helped extend the initiative beyond the workshop space, giving students practical tools to support healthy habits, confidence, and awareness of future career opportunities in the dental and oral health industry.

Through this effort, 561 students were impacted, partnerships were strengthened, smiles were made healthier, and futures were made brighter.

Continental Societies Inc., Metropolitan Philadelphia Area Chapter Continental Societies, Inc., Montgomery Chapter Continental Societies, Inc., Montgomery Chapter Continental Societies, Incorporated Southeastern Howard Laurel Chapter Montgomery Continentals

06/16/2026

New York Continentals are shouting out to the Continental Societies Inc., Metropolitan Philadelphia Area Chapter!

05/25/2026

Over the years, the New York Chapter of Continental Societies, Inc. has partnered with Rush Temple AME Zion Church’s Christian Education Afterschool Tutorial Program, which has served students for 51 years. The chapter has supported Rush Temple afterschool participants through arts and humanities workshops, as well as educational and health-related workshops. The chapter has also provided participants with opportunities to participate in recreational outings that enrich youth engagement, learning, and personal development.

On Sunday, May 24, 2026, the Education Committee continued this partnership by supporting Rush Temple’s Graduates & Moving Up Day Celebration. The event recognized students from pre-kindergarten through high school for their academic accomplishments and educational growth. Past program participants who are now in college were also recognized for their continued success.

Students received certificates and monetary awards in recognition of their academic success. The Education Committee supported the celebration by providing sweet treats as part of the light refreshments served to participants following the recognition ceremony.

05/21/2026

On Friday, May 15, 2026, members of the Health Committee of the New York Chapter of Continental Societies, Inc. implemented a Mental Wellness, Yoga, and Oral Health initiative at PS 401K Christopher Avenue Community School in Brooklyn, New York during Mental Health Awareness Month. The initiative incorporated literacy, yoga, breathing exercises, calming strategies, oral hygiene education, resilience-building activities, and family engagement workshops designed to support students’ emotional wellness, self-care, and healthy habits. Activities included read-alouds of Be Kind and After the Fall, oral wellness discussions, yoga and movement exercises, and the use of Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures educational resources.
The program began with a Family Engagement Workshop where parents participated in discussions focused on wellness, yoga, oral hygiene, and self-care strategies. Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students participated in literacy, breathing, and oral wellness activities connected to the book Be Kind. First-grade students engaged in movement-based yoga, stretching, calming strategies, and oral wellness activities, while older students participated in resilience, yoga, and oral health discussions connected to After the Fall. Students also received the New York Chapter’s custom oral wellness booklet designed to connect calm minds, healthy smiles, and positive self-care habits.
Approximately 80 students and 15 parents participated in the initiative. Program materials included custom oral wellness booklets, crayons, markers, educational worksheets, oral hygiene resources, yoga mats, and a donation of children’s books focused on mental wellness, resilience, mindfulness, and self-care. The initiative promoted healthy habits, emotional wellness, self-care, and oral health awareness while strengthening the chapter’s partnership with PS 401K Christopher Avenue Community School.