Woman of controversy: Williams' leadership of NAACP in S.L. earns support and criticism

• The rift in the black community has become so onerous that on several occasions local black leaders have tried to organize a meeting with Williams to attempt to mend the rift.

"We had several meetings to resolve the rift and decide how to bring the NAACP to the table," says Henderson. "We knew we were getting a bad reputation for not getting along. She refused to come to the meetings."

The Rev. France Davis and Phyllis Carruth, director of the Martin Luther King Commission, were among those who were asked to mediate. So far, their efforts have been rebuffed.

"I'm still working on it," says the Rev. Davis. "I don't want to close the doors." Asked to comment on Williams' performance, he says, "I don't have any comment on that at this point."

Says Carruth, "I don't want to say anything to close doors. We're still working on things. But there are some communication issues."

Lewis blames much of this issue on Williams' policy of turning the NAACP from a group dominated by blacks to a group that represents all races in matters of civil rights.

"They want it to be a black thing," says Lewis. "We fight for the civil rights of everyone."

He also defends the chapter's refusal to work with other black groups by saying the NAACP, as a nonprofit group, cannot affiliate with partisan groups. The Utah Black Forum, for instance, was headed by Democratic state legislator Duane Bourdeaux. And they can't affiliate with government groups because it is the government they often take on in the courtroom on civil rights issues. Whatever the reason, Williams' independence and refusal to cooperate with others has created many of her problems in the community.

"She's self-reliant, not inclusive," says Valdez. "It has created a lot of animosity. It's the style she has adopted, her modus operandi. She knows she's not loved by everybody. She's got to know it. But in spite of it, she keeps getting re-elected."

• Critics also say there needs to be more financial disclosure in the local NAACP under Williams' leadership.

"When I left there hadn't been an official audit since Miss Henry left," says Houston. "There should be independent audits regarding funds."

Says Dew, another former board member, "I was trying to keep things accountable. Jeanetta would not account for it. She wouldn't even tell me how many members the chapter has. That should be public information. It's a nonprofit group that collects money. We should know where it's going. There should be a proper accounting of funds, and so we asked questions. She was very reluctant to provide the information."