The Atlanta chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has been active since 1917, and yet one of the most frequently-asked questions Executive Director Judith Withers-Hanson hears is, "When are you dropping 'colored' from your name?"

The historic organization, an offshoot of the national group founded in New York City in 1909, has no intention of removing the 'C' from NAACP. And for good reason.

"Even though we've been told, 'Nobody says colored anymore,' it has a special significance for us, " Withers-Hanson said. "We are not just about doing things for black people. People come in all colors and we welcome all of them. We have Hispanics, white and of course black people who are members and who lead." The focus of the NAACP has historically been to fight discrimination for all people. Today, that scope is broadened to include age and gender, battles that are largely being fought in the workplace.

"We are advocates for those denied justice and equality of opportunity, " Withers-Hanson said. "We do what we can to alleviate that through education, negotiation, legislation and, when all else fails, litigation. From the numerous calls we get, we go out and try to talk to people first, come to some agreement and educate them. A lot of times we've found that top management doesn't know what's going on." The NAACP sponsors a variety of programs that appeal to all segments of the population. One of the group's long-standing goals has been voter registration drives. As the November elections approach, NAACP volunteers are out in force encouraging people to sign up and vote for the candidate of their choice.

"Voter registration is a major goal for us and is our main focus right now, " Withers-Hanson said. "It's so crucial that we physically go from door to door. We also form coalitions with other organizations to send people out with brochures. We're at bus stops, grocery stores and malls that have allowed us to set up a table. We're at the West End Mall every Saturday, urging people to register and, if they are, to vote. We're nonpartisan; we don't tell them who to vote for, just to vote." Other popular programs sponsored by the Atlanta NAACP include the Afro-Academic Cultural Technological and Scientific Olympics — shortened to ACT-SO — a competition in which high school students invites them to compete in 21 areas, including chemistry, physics, fine arts and music. Top medal winners attend the NAACP national convention.

"It's been going on for more than 20 years but it's a well-kept secret, " Withers-Hanson said. "It gives students the opportunity to see that there are other things to do in life other than play sports. And it's great to see how these kids cheer each other on. You'd think you were at a basketball game, but they're excited over a physics project!" The Atlanta chapter also sponsors SAT workshops, job fairs, lobbying networks and political action forums.

While many people don't realize the scope of the work the NAACP tackles, they're also not usually aware that it is done by a membership organization, Withers-Hanson said.

"We have about 3,000 members on the rolls, and that's a low number for all the people in Atlanta, " she said. "It's actually getting harder to get people to join and volunteer. Back when you could see discrimination and it was not as subtle as it is now, it was easier to get people involved. We knew we had a common cause. But it's important that people not forget where we came from." Withers-Hanson frequently finds herself fielding questions from people in all parts of the country, even though the Atlanta chapter deals exclusively with those living in the city and Fulton County.

"There are branches in other counties all around metro area as well, but people think we are the national office because we're in Atlanta, " she said. "It looks like our work isn't going to be done anytime soon." For information about Atlanta's NAACP, call 404-761-1266 or visit www.atlantanaacp.org.