Pictured left to right: 2024 Honorees: Rev. Melissa S. Benton, Rev. Monica B. Branch, Tiffany S. James, Dr. Andrea Fleming, Dr. Yolanda Bryant, Juanita Kelly Henry, Dr. DeAlva Taundolyn-Mitchell, Dr. Ledell Rivers, James T. McLawhorn, Gold Sponsor. Honorees not pictured: Ida W. Thompson, Dr. Janet Campbell, Bryanta Booker-Maxwell.
Excellence was on display as the Columbia Section of the National Council of Negro Women gathered in large numbers at the Brooklyn Baptist Conference Center in West Columbia to honor eleven legendary women who continue the legacies of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The annual celebration was designed to honor the two historic leaders for their contributions to mankind and to recognize community members whose services to their profession and communities embody the legacies and philosophies of Dr. King and Dr. Bethune.
The 2024 honorees are Bryanta Booker-Maxwell-Social Justice, Ida
Williams Thompson, Dr. Janet Campbell, Dr. Ledell Rivers-Education, Dr. Juanita Kelly Henry, Rev. Monica Billie Branch-Faith Community, Rev. Melissa Fatima Stringfellow Benton, Tiffany S James, Dr. Yolanda Bryant-Community Service, Dr. DeAlva Taundolyn Suber-Mitchell-Health Care, and Education, Dr. Andrea Fleming, who delivered a resounding message of hope for a brighter future with capable and committed women leading the charge through unselfish and dedicated service to the community. President Loranda M. Melton welcomed and congratulated the honorees who have contributed so much to their communities in several different
areas. She stated that all of the honorees exemplify the image, values and accomplishments of the founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. President Melton encouraged the women to continue to share and operate in the spirit of excellence.
The Columbia Section of NCNW has also continued their legacy of giving and has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving young students. This year the 2024 scholarship recipient is Shamya Wade, who serves as President of the Benedict-Bird Section of NCNW.
This celebration of amazingly outstanding women was such an appropriate way to end Women’s History Month.
