Honoring First Ladies of the church

March is Women’s History Month and women across the country are being recognized for the unselfish work and time they give to the community.

This year, in celebration of this exhilarating time, the National Empowerment Group Inc., Blue Cross Blue Shield, Shakopee Chevrolet and Americas Realty Group will host the 11th annual “Women Unite to Win – Women’s Appreciation Luncheon” on March 23 to honor first ladies of area churches.

Honorees will be recognized for their continuous leadership, dedication, compassion, inspiration and empowerment. Many of these women work behind the scenes without expecting any recognition. They are empathic and compassionate leaders that make themselves available at all times, lend an ear and helping hand when needed, and will give you their last meal, if necessary.

This year’s “First Ladies” honorees are as follows:

• Mrs. Rhonda Bell-Herron (Zion Baptist Church – Mpls., MN)
• Mrs. Alaere Williams (Parokios Church – Brooklyn Park, MN)
• Apostle Jill Jackson, First Lady Emeritus (Moving on Up Ministries – Mpls., MN)
• Mrs. Joan McAfee, First Lady Emeritus (NuWay Baptist Church – Mpls, MN)
• Mrs. Wilma Gallmon (Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church – Mpls., MN)
• Mrs. Tonya Miller, First Lady (Progressive Baptist Church – St. Paul, MN)
• Mrs. Eunice Miller, First Lady Emeritus (Progressive Baptist Church – St. Paul, MN)
• Mrs. Rosa Daniels, First Lady  (Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church – St. Paul, MN)
• Presiding Elder Rev. Stacy L. Smith  (St. James AME – St. Paul, MN)
• Mrs. Hope Patterson, First Lady (New Hope Baptist Church – St. Paul, MN)

Pastor Rozenia Hood-Fuller, MDiv, First Lady of Good News Baptist Church in Mpls., will serve as the honorary chair, and Rev. Dr. Karen McKinney, associate professor of Biblical Theological Studies at Bethel University, will offer empowering words.

J. MOST and Dr. Wendy Johnson will co-host what is sure to be an electrifying day filled with community recognition and empowering entertainment from musical groups such as: Sons of Levi (St. James AME); Step with Soul (Ministering w/ Hand & Feet); Men of Progressive Baptist Church; Men of New Hope Baptist Church; Steppin Saints (Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church); Se Vy Gospel Quartet (Zion Baptist Church); Tamara Peeler (NuWay Baptist Church), and a performance by Alvin Williams Jr. (Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church).

The 11th Annual “Women Unite to Win” luncheon takes place Sat., March 23 at the Hilton MPLS/St. Paul Airport Mall of America. Doors open at 10:30 am and the program starts at 11 am.

For more info, visit www.nationalempowermentgroup or contact J. MOST at 612-237-5118.