Lelia Benham

Background

Benham, Lelia was born on July 15, 1945, in Cartersville, Georgia, United States. Daughter of Emory and Nellie Pearl (Carson) Benham.

Education

Student, North Center Technology College, Mansfield, Ohio, 1981-1983, 91-;

student, Mansfield Business College, 1964-1966, 84-85.

Career

Bookkeeper/secretary, M-R-M Cmty. Action Program, 1970-1972;

with, The Tappan Company, 1972-1981;

secretary/bookkeeper daycare center, Mansfield Opportunities Industrialization Center, 1983-1984;

office services contractor, FSC Ednl., Inc., Mansfield, 1988-1989;

sales assistant, Hill's Department Store, Mansfield, 1988-1990;

president/director, Benham & Company, Mansfield, since 1988;

independent sales distributor, Shaklee Products, 1985-1986. Home health habilitation aide, waiver/supportive living provider OhioDept.

Mental Retardation and Developmentally Disabled, since 1992, Richland Newhope Center, Mansfield, since 1992. Nurse assistant Mansfield Memorial Geriatric Center, 1994. National and international consultant in field.

Achievements

• Lelia Benham has been listed as a noteworthy small business owner by Marquis Who's Who. ; International Biographical Centre, Cambridge UK,; United Way Mansfield-Richland; Women & Children Budget Committee Ohio; "Keeper of Flame" Ohio Secretary of State;Sister Cities Association honored UK Parliament named visitor for Formal Luncheon; Ohio Women Inc.; Chair Ohio NOW R.E.D Taskforce.

Membership

Candidate Mansfield School Board and City Council, 1987, 89, 91. Founding member of advisory board, board directors Litter Prevention and Recycling/KAB (Mid-Ohio Clean Scene), 1982-1996. Vice president, founding treasurer Sister Cities Association, Mansfield, 1986-1994.

Active various charitable organizations. Board directors Ohio Women Inc. Member alumni board Canton Regional Transit Authority, 1989-1996, Cleveland School Board, 1989-1993, Ohio Department Administrative Superior vena cava syndrome Minority Business Enterprise, 1989-1996, others.

Advisory board member Keep Yourself Alive, 1992, 93. Member National Organization for Women (Richland County founder, president 1985-1996, Scholarship award 1987, task force chair state board racial and ethnic diversity since 1993), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (Ohio representative to state organizations since 1989, President's award 1982, Cmty. award 1988).

Interests

• Avocations: reading, sewing, traveling.

Connections

Married Larry L. Mabins, January 15, 1966 (divorced 1970). Children: Gary K., Margo L., Berrie E.

Father:

Emory Benham

Mother:

Nellie Pearl (Carson) Benham

Spouse:

Larry L. Mabins

child:

Gary K. Benham

child:

Margo L. Benham

child:

Berrie E. Benham