A sea of purple filled the pews of a historic Black church in Leesburg as community organizations joined the Lake, Sumter and Marion Counties Section of the National Council of Negro Women for an afternoon of worship focused on education, health equity, social justice and economic empowerment.
The local chapter of the NCNW hosted the fundraising event, 100 Women in Purple: Powering Up for Jesus, on May 24 at St. Stephen African Methodist Episcopal Church, 302 Church St., Leesburg.
Shaun Wethington, founder and president of Lake, Sumter and Marion Counties Section of NCNW, said not only did the event honor Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, the national organization’s founder, and Dorothy Height, its longest-serving president, but it unified organizations including local churches, nonprofits and members of the Divine Nine, a collection of nine historically Black fraternities and sororities that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
“This is a time to keep Dr. Bethune’s legacy alive,” Wethington said. “She was a very religious person who was affiliated with the AME church. That’s why we decided to host the event at a local AME church. We were hoping to bring together organizations to celebrate sisterhood and brotherhood together in a religious setting. This event is not only meant to bring the community together, it’s one of the fundraisers to help support what will be our first scholarship program.”
Unity was the overarching theme of the day as churches from Leesburg and Fruitland Park joined forces to put on the event. The Rev. Audrey Greene, from Mt. Pleasant AME Church and membership chair of Lake, Sumter and Marion Counties Section of NCNW, led the planning committee. Tanya Harris-Rocker, Lake, Sumter, Marion Section of NCNW co-chair, welcomed attendees and urged them to be agents of change by providing service to the community.
“Our mission is as urgent now as it was in 1930,” Harris-Rocker said. “We have to be an active engine for social justice powered in unity, service and advocacy.”
Yolanda Presley, a minister from Citadel of Hope Ministries, preached the message and the Praise and Worship team from Mount Calvary Baptist Church lifted the room in song.
Wethington handed out certificates to the assisting churches and individuals who helped the event come to fruition. Several leaders of various community organizations such as Barbara Palmer-Hafner, president of the Alpha Epsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Presley, of the Leesburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; and Beverly Steele, founder of Young Performing Artists (YPAs) shared words of support.
Other participating groups included the Sophisticated Gents of Central Florida and the Criterion Civic Club of Eustis.
The worship service fundraiser is just one of thef NCNW’s programs that exemplifies its “Core Four” initiatives: education and scholarships, health equity, social justice, economic empowerment and entrepreneurship.
During April, the organization held a book drive highlighting the works of Black authors to donate to private schools and other organizations.
Focusing on health equity, members of the local organization work to promote the national organization’s initiative called Good Health WINs, or Women’s Immunization Networks. The initiative represents NCNW’s commitment to sharing the importance of and removing the barriers to access to vaccinations.
Wethington said members share the message of “Good Health WINs” by putting educational information in churches, doctors offices and handing out information and mini health kits while participating in community events. The kits include hand sanitizer, tissues and masks.
“Our main goal is to make sure that our communities of color are vaccinated,” Wethington said. “The initiative started during COVID-19, so at one point, we focused on that. Now we also focus on flu, RSV and measles vaccinations. We want to make sure that people have an understanding of the importance of making sure vaccines are done. We also talk about the importance of hand-washing and other health tips.”
Lillian Lockette, social justice chair for the Lake, Sumter, Marion Section of the NCNW , works to educate the community about voting rights.
During the 100 Women In Purple service, Lockette discussed what the group does and why it’s important to help register voters.
“We work to make sure people know where their precinct is or what dates they are voting on in the primary as well as the general election,” Lockette said. “Encouraging people to vote is the only way to make change and make sure your voice is heard.”
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
