By Tihut Tamrat, Contributing Writer
Eight beautiful, intelligent, selfless, and phenomenal women inspired many at the Liberty Station Conference Center on Saturday, September 21st. From 11am-3pm the San Diego Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), whose mission is to lead, advocate for, and empower women of African descent, their families, and communities, celebrated and treated these eight women and their supportive families to a luncheon and an afternoon filled with tunes, delicious food, and great company to share their accomplishments with.
NCNW’s 2024 “Phenomenal Women in Action” honorees are Ms. Veronica Arvizu, Mechanical Designer at Rivulis Irrigation; Mrs. ShuJen Walker Askew, Electrical Engineer at Navy Calibration Lab; Ms. Natay Holmes, Emmy-Award-Winning Reporter for KGTV 10 News; Mrs. Wendy McKinney, Interim Executive Director for Think Dignity; Ms. Karla Sanchez, Senior Engineer Technician for San Diego County Water Authority; Mrs. Monica Montgomery Steppe, San Diego County Board Supervisor for District 4; Miss Brii’ylle Farley Youth Honoree; and Voice & Viewpoint’s very own Managing Editor, Ms. Latanya West.
After an invocation given by Pastor Ron Edwards, the presentation of colors was delivered by the Buffalo Soldiers of San Diego. Following a hearty and uplifting “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, a dance performance was offered by Myesha Mahone, mimicking the lyrics and the melody of a powerful praise song with grace and passion. After which the food was ready to be served!
Once everyone had eaten, NCNW President Helen Edwards started with a few kind words about each honoree before handing them their plaque and certificate, posing for a picture with them. The loud applause and hollering from loved ones rang inside Liberty Station for each of the Phenomenal Women that walked across the stage, dedicating their lives in service to their community.
“That is who we are as NCNW. That is what your honorees here this afternoon represent. The best of who we are as people. They have spent their lives working hard to elevate others,” encouraged Mrs. Theljewa Garrett, NCNW Parliamentarian, urging everyone in the audience to go out and vote this season on behalf of their honorees and their community.
Mrs. Garrett continued on, sharing the words of the youngest of the eight honorees, fifteen-year-old Miss Brii’ylle Farley: “My advice to people is to be themselves and give back to their community. You never know what impact you will have without people taking time to support their community. I will not be here where I am today. So, I always try to pay it forward.”
Their notable efforts were awarded by NCNW and watched by young ones, inspired to reach the light shined upon them. The 56th Annual Community Service Awards Luncheon was a time of celebration and union of the eight women, and their families, that made a difference in their community. Their impact shines today in various parts of the community today, and lives on in the hearts with those they’ve touched.
Congratulations to the 2024 Phenomenal Women in Action!
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