On Oct. 10 at its annual achievement week banquet, the Kappa Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity recognized Delilah Blanks as the Bladen County Citizen of the Year.

“I was very surprised (by the selection),” Blanks said. “It’s a very big honor because members of that fraternity are some of the most respected and influential men in the area. I’m very proud of this.”

For several years, Blanks has worked tirelessly in her community in numerous areas. Since being elected in 1988, Blanks has served several terms on the Bladen County Board of Commissioners. Professionally, she has worked as a public school teacher and a social worker.

In addition, for 22 years she has taught social work at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and an award has been established by the Department of Sociology in her honor for a senior excelling in the field of social work.

But Blanks is not unaccustomed to professional honors and awards. Those bestowed upon her have included recipient of the Annie E. Brown Trailblazer Award by the North Carolina Black Caucus; she has been cited as a Who's Who Among Black Americans for outstanding achievement in Education and Community services; she was tabbed “Bladen County Citizen of the Year” in 1991; and, more recently, was elected by the North Carolina Board of County Commissioners as its president. The association includes all 100 counties of North Carolina.

The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity founded November 17th, 1911, holds it’s achievement week annually in November. During this week the fraternity recognizes individual(s) that have significantly to the welfare of mankind.

Also recognized by the Chapter were: Brother Curtis Hooks as “Omega Man of the Year Award,” Brother Roger Keys with the “Superior Service Award,” Brother Mclease Fisher with the “Colonel Charles Young Award” for outstanding military service, and Brother Albert Brown with the “Founder's Award.” Others recognized for their service to the chapter included James Carr, Phillip Middleton, Lazarius Butler, Cedric Williams, Masquenada Johnson, Greg Bennett, Kim Johnson, Michael T. Faison and Leroy Austin.