PENNSYLVANIANS CELEBRATE WFWP'S 22ND ANNIVERSARY

Another event that will go down in the history of Pennsylvania WFWP and leave a warm trace in the heart of Pennsylvanians took place on August 30 in the city where America was born, Philadelphia. Fifty-one people--dignitaries, teachers, religious leaders, business owners, students, artists, professional performers, and community leaders--came to experience the Bridge of Peace and celebrate on the local and state level the twenty-second anniversary of the founding of WFWP.

Margo Davidson

Our keynote speaker, the Honorable Margo Davidson, is a journalist, visionary, and radio broadcaster. She is currently a State Representative who was the first African-American, the first Democrat, and the first woman elected to represent the 164th Legislative District. She was introduced by the President of the Upper Darby Women's Club, Dr. Carolyn Collins, who is now also serving as President of the Women's Democratic Club in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.

Representative Davidson's speech issued a challenge to women to contribute substantially to their communities. Discovering and revealing this secret of success has served as a solid foundation to be trusted by thousands in her legislative district.

A moving Bridge of Peace ceremony introduced by Coordinator Mrs. Joy Lascari, assisted by Mrs. Denneze Nelson, the WFWP district leader in New Jersey, followed her speech. The miracle of crossing the Bridge of Peace changed the hearts of everyone in that room. Most of the people who participated in the ceremony and crossed the bridge are VIPs and very active members of their community. There was a powerful, highly charged atmosphere in the room after the ceremony. In fact, it was a remarkable turning point that changed the hearts of all participants toward a principled point of view.

After the bridge ceremony was a wonderful presentation by Ms. Jen Barvutskie, the President of No Place for Hate (NPFH), an anti-defamation organization that promotes work toward a world without hate. All who heard her presentation had much soul-searching to do afterward.

The HerStory Award was launched that day in Philadelphia. Mrs. Jizly Dohou, Chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Chapter, handed the award certificate to Dr. Almeda Johnson, who was chosen to be the local winner of the award. Dr. Johnson, the 100th recipient of the HerStory Award, is an honorable woman who has done and continues to do a great deal of noble work.

There were other presentations that followed the award and a call to action by Mrs. Nelson. A celebratory cake was cut, and then the fun began. There was line-dancing instruction, and it was a wonderful way to end such a life-empowering event.

Group Photo