Sunday, Oct. 20, beginning at 10 a.m. is Women’s Day at All Nations Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., where our pastor is the Rev. Dr. James Coleman. We invite you all to join us to hear a blessed message by our guest speaker, Rev. Mahogany Thomas, who heads up Bread for the City. Her passion for service and community knows no bounds. A dynamic preacher and woman of God, you don’t want to miss her message, “The Changing Role of Women in the 21st Century.”
The church’s main entrance is located at 2 Rhode Island Ave. NE, and we invite all readers to come out and hear Rev. Thomas give a Word from the Lord! During the service, nine women will be honored for their many years of work in the community, including one honoree coming down from Pennsylvania. Honorees are:
• Dr. Alethia Tucker: Voted one of the “Top 25 Most Inspiring Women” by Called 2 Inspire Magazine, Tucker is a sought-after international keynote speaker, reinvention strategist and bestselling author. With over 30 years of experience in human resources, training and marketing, she empowers individuals and organizations to amplify courage, confidence and connection.
• Evangelist Beverly Goodwin: Professional and experienced broker, real estate agent helping to sell and buy homes. Celebrating more than 20 years of real estate experience! She is a businesswoman and woman of God, preaching the Word. Goodwin hosts programs to support and feed the homeless regularly, providing gospel singing, musicians and preached word to feed their soul!
• Rose Jackson, from Delaware County, Pennsylvania: She is an entrepreneur, selling sorority paraphernalia, working at conferences and conventions. Everyone is always excited about Jackson’s store! She is an elementary school staff member, working with handicapped children in Pennsylvania. She is the co-chair historian for the Eastern Region, Gamma Phi Delta Sorority Inc., working beside me. I’m grateful to have her as my co-chair! You do good work, Soror Rose Jackson!
• Gloria Hightower, president/CEO at Friends of Carter Barron · Founding president and chief executive officer lifetime member at Friends of Carter Barron Foundation of the Performing Arts. Hightower has been hosting fundraising events to support the Carter Barron Amphitheater over the past few years. Her shows have been planned at a scale which ranges from events held at the new Kennedy Center, Lincoln Theater and even at BET, and she brought in national talent, including the Temptations. Hightower and her distinguished board of directors are determined to do all they can to support the Carter Barron Amphitheater.
• Dr. Zetta Leftridge: 33-year career at MedStar Washington Hospital Center as a clinical pharmacist in Internal Medicine. Later promoted to the position of clinical coordinator for both the divisions of Internal Medicine / Behavioral Health and Cardiology. In this position she managed a team of 21 full-time pharmacists, six part-time pharmacists and provided clinical oversight for 15 inpatient units which housed more than 250 patients. As clinical coordinator, she was involved in the mentoring and coaching of pharmacists, pharmacy residents and students.
• Dr. Linda Powell: Retired from United States International Trade Commission after 40 years of service. She is extremely active in the community working as a member of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority Inc., and she is a co-host each Saturday with Sisters4Sisters Network, an organization that is looking for women who understand the power we have to ignite our community and enrich our lives professionally, financially and socially. The weekly podcast show brings in guests each week to highlight successes and failures, and how to help others along the way!
• Dr. Cassandra Montgomery: Educator, CEO and religious leader. Montgomery has been able to obtain eight degrees while serving in her community. She is a lecturer, Christian-based counselor and pastoral temperament life coach. Many lives have been transformed, empowered and inspired by her gift of service. Montgomery is many things in one motion!
• Elder Angelia Oldes-Powell: Born, raised and educated in the Washington, D.C., area. She is a descendant of accomplished entrepreneurs; her late father and mother were entrepreneurs, and her younger brother is Bishop Vance Oldes, an accomplished pastor. She is an alumna of Bowie State University and the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, currently employed as a mental health specialist. She is an author, a residential service expert and an ordained elder in the Christian faith, and she’s known for feeding the homeless in the park for Thanksgiving and any time, just because they are in need. She and her team will go any weekend to feed those in need!
• Maude Holt: Administrator and health care ombudsman for the Office of Health Care Ombudsman and Bill of Rights for the District of Columbia’s Department of Health Care Finance. Holt, a native of Alabama, brings over 25 years of experience in health care administration and management. Holt is an advocate for access to better health care and quality health services in the District of Columbia. Her distinguished career was highlighted when she was chosen to be a 2010 recipient of the Cafritz Award for Distinguished Services for District of Columbia employees.
We invite you to come out and celebrate with us. We enjoy sharing the history and background of some of the DMV’s most accomplished women of God, for giving and sharing their God-given gifts over a lifetime of service. As the Women’s Day chair, and co-chair/music ministry leader, Dr. Gwendolyn Taylor, it has been my pleasure to serve the church, our pastor and the planning committee; our colors are burgundy, white and black.
Lyndia Grant is a speaker/writer living in the D.C. area. Her radio show, “Think on These Things,” airs Fridays at 6 p.m. on 1340 AM (WYCB), a Radio One station. To reach Grant, visit her website, www.lyndiagrant.com, email lyndiagrantshowdc@gmail.com or call 240-602-6295. Follow her on X @LyndiaGrant and on Facebook.