She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31
Women of the twenty-first century can walk in confidence and execute their intelligence and strength due to the foundation of women who came before them. The prior generation awarded the new female the voice to be heard and the power to express their ideas and visions. This contribution has helped propel the world around us.
March is dedicated to Women's History Month to celebrate women's achievements. The monthly holiday was started in the 1900's by the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union with the garment strike and began with a single day of celebration. The original day started on February 28, 1909, to honor women's achievements, it is now worldwide and empowers young women to have courage and use their voices to stand up to intolerable situations.
I was privileged to be a part of an extraordinary night of celebrating women, and most importantly women of God at the Fire and Ice, Women Organizing Women, Inc
. (WOW) 7th Annual Holiday Gala, in December 2022. I was moved sitting in a room filled with women who empowered other women while honoring God for their gifts. This was not an average night out celebrating superficial wins, no, it was a supernatural night guided by the Holy Spirit showcasing how God can use women to move women.
The Jam had the pleasure of sitting down with Robin McCoy one of the 11 founding members of WOW and talking all things purpose. She expressed that God's voice is a roadmap to guide you where his purpose is. She gave the background on WOW and her journey as a woman Entrepeneur.
Robin McCoy is the president of WOW, owner of Robin's Nest Desserts and Catering and the Director of Culinary Programs. She is also the Executive Pastry Chef of Oak Grove Culinary Creations. However, after talking to her I think her favorite title is child of God. McCoy is a native of Gary Indiana, and a second-generation women entrepreneur. When I think of her story, I think of the many women given the tools to take on hard things and create beautiful outcomes. This would also be said about her mom, a young transplant from the south facing the world after her husband's untimely death. Her matriarch used the tools God gave her which she used to run a restaurant and boarder home to cultivate her family.
Robyn and her sister Dr. Pamela Key are the direct reflections of how God can speak to generations with the intent to grow an army of women entrepreneurs. The sisters and WOW help to educate and equip women to be self-reliant and utilize their creative gifts. Throughout the year WOW offer programs and events that serve the community.
The organization has four-chapter divisions, west (California), Midwest (Metro area), South (Mobile, AL) and International (Africa & India). If you are women interested in being encouraged or encouraging, I highly suggest you contact Robyn (West Chapter) and check out their website to subscribe and not miss the opportunity to be a part of all the great things they have going on (https://womenorganizingwomeninc.org/ )
Women should know they're worth, so they are continually spreading Hope to all they encounter. I was WOW'ed at the gala and by every woman nominated, all the women that performed, and graciously spoke and the spirit of the women who attended. It reassured Twenty-Seven|27 is on the right path.
Robyn left The Jam with these gifts of knowledge:
Everyone's Born with Purpose. It may be hard for others to understand your plan, but it's okay because remember it's your plan.
You can encompass many talents and gifts, never feel compelled to choose just one.
Listen to God's Voice. A relationship with God will allow his voice to become your guiding light.
Be Obedient to God. You have his purpose but not his plan, so even when it looks different than how you see it, trust God.
Surround yourself with likeminded people. They will nourish your thoughts and actions.
Women's History month is a reminder that woman are blessings and uniquely created. My hope is a woman..... a woman led business, a mother, a friend, a community member, etc. will personally touch you throughout your year and share a worthy moment. A moment that will cause you to stop and give praise. It may move you to write a thank you note or create a lunch invitation to share with that person what she has done for you. It's great to have a day or month but its progress when we appreciate the daily works of women and their contribution to our society.
21-Century women are indebted to grandmothers who survived the Great Depression, and Jim Crow south. Immigrant grandmothers who sought hope in a new land to advance her next generation. Great-grandmothers who perished in the genocides of the holocaust and African warfare, not able to see the redemption story they started for of their daughters. I leave you with this simple request, thank a woman today!
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