Church of the Crucifixion Honors Living Black History

Some of the "Outstanding Service" honorees included (L-R) Altamese Dawkins, Mary Edna Paschall and Beatrice Gilliard; (standing, holdong honorees' portraits are Jackie Jones, Linda Williams and Cynthia West.

The Church of the Crucifixion Catholic Church celebrated the contributions of nine outstanding African-American women at its 9th Annual Black History Program.

Some of the “Outstanding Service” honorees included (L-R) Altamese Dawkins,
Mary Edna Paschall and Beatrice Gilliard; (standing, holdong honorees’ portraits are
Jackie Jones, Linda Williams and Cynthia West.

Themed “Year of the Woman,” the event honored community matriarchs who have spent their lives generously serving the needs of others as educators, entrepreneurs, leaders, nurses, veterans and volunteers. Honorees included international servant leader and education and music trailblazer Dr. Norma Solomon White, keynote speaker and recipient of the “Woman of the Year” award; Gloria Barton, Altamese Dawkins, Beatrice Gilliard, Julia Holly, Kathryn Howell and Mary Edna Paschall, recipients of the “Outstanding Service” award; and Rhudine James and Nevaida Thomas, recipients of the “Distinguished Military Service” award. Of special note, one of the honorees is 100 years old (a centurion), and five of the honorees are between 90 and 99 years of age (nonagenarians).

Erskerline Favors, a member of the event planning committee, noted “2019 is the ‘year of the woman.’ Nationally, women are making strides. We wanted to honor women in our local community – like Dr. White – who serve as great examples, have broken barriers and have demonstrated that all things are possible with faith, hard work and strength of character.”

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