by Clarence W. Thomas, Jr.
MGI Contributor
thomasjr63@gmail.com
Seven local female luminaries were honored for their contributions in communications, art, medicine, business, and education during a March 16 Women’s History Month event at the historic Douglass Theatre.
Using the theme: Acknowledging the Impact that Women have attributed through their ambition, action, and attainment, the Douglass Theatre, the Tubman African American Museum, and the Ruth Hartley Mosley Memorial Women’s Center titled the collaborative undertaking, Women of Impact Awards & Bruncheon Ceremony.
It was a momentous occasion that began with a social mixer in the theatre annex before moving to the theatre. A program featuring Dr. Shelton Land, executive director of the Douglass Theatre; Ruth Hartley Mosley Memorial Women’s Center director Sylvia McGee; Harold Young, director of the Tubman; and song, dance, and acting tributes accompanied the main event – the awarding of the guests of honor.
Veteran communicator Angel Irving Cobb and master craftswoman Wini McQueen received the Fannie Appling Douglass “Cornerstone of Culture Award” from Land and the Douglass Theatre. McGee presented OBGYN physicians Dr. Patrice Walker and Dr. Keisha Callins with the “Pioneer of Community Advancement” Award. Overtime Bar & Grill co-owner Charity Harris and Starr Purdue Hutchings, president and co-owner of Hutchings Funeral Home, received the “Acts of Courage” Award from Young. All three directors paid homage to Wesleyan College president Meaghan Blight with a “Champion of Transformative Change” Award.
The women are the first class to receive the awards. Irving Cobb is known for being the first Black female television personality to co-host a morning talk show at WMAZ (Channel 13) and for her community activism through media and as a citizen. McQueen chose fabric art as a creative expression in early childhood. Experiences have played a major role in her continuous learning and evolving she says including residencies in Africa that provided her new insights in engaging audiences along with a deeper appreciation for local arts.
Callins practices medicine in Twiggs and Jones counties. The Community Health Care Systems worker provides healthcare services to rural and underserved communities and says her personal mission is to change the world of everyone with whom she interacts with. As the first female and Black Chief Medical Officer for Atrium Health Navicent, Walker works to ensure patients are receiving a high quality of care. She is very active outside of her work at Atrium serving as a member of Jack and Jill of America and on the boards of Crisis Line, Safe House of Central Georgia, and the Chambliss Christian Center.
Harris says she’s driven by faith and strives to help shape the world around her. In addition to Overtyme Bar and Grill, she co-owns with her husband, Mother’s Breakfast & BBQ and 360 Automotive Group. Harris is a philanthropist as well and considered a nurturer of social, economic, and community engagement. Purdue upholds the legacy of her family’s business Hutchings Funeral Home, Incorporated, first established in 1895, as one described as a shining star who helps others through her servant leadership. She is in demand serving locally on several boards and beyond Macon’s borders since 2007 as treasurer for the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association and as a board member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority (Atrium Health) in Charlotte, N.C.
Blight is the 26th president of Wesleyan College, the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women. Since her time at Wesleyan, her “Meaghan’s Million Dollar Match” campaign exceeded its goal and brought in $2.3 million in her first 100 days in office. Under her leadership the school’s presence has expanded to include its Leadership Lab on Cherry Street downtown and its new Working Warriors – a scholarship designed to allow women access to life-changing graduate study.
The awards ceremony was conceived by Land and hardily embraced by McGee and Young. “This is a fitting tribute to ladies leading the way in their respective fields of endeavor. The Douglass Theatre is proud to have had a hand is putting this together,” said Land. McGee described it as “a great start to something great”. Young added that like Harriet Tubman, the women that were honored give back to our community.
