Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church celebrates women’s history

Published 11:30 am Thursday, May 2, 2019

AMERICUS — As a culminating celebration of National Women’s History Month, the community joined with Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church for its annual Women’s Day Program.  The theme was “Queen Status: Living Your Best Life Through Christ.”  The chair, Tracy Finch, said, “I wanted a theme which would uplift and empower women within our community to become the leaders they already are.”

In that context, planning committee chose Karla Heath-Sands, anchor at WALB News 10 TV, as keynote speaker. Originally from Brunswick, Heath-Sands started her broadcasting career in 1989, at WMAZ-TV in Macon, as a weathercaster and community service director. She came to WALB in 1997, and co-anchors WALB News 10’s Today in Georgia at 5 and 6 a.m. and anchors the noon newscast. She is married to W. Louis Sands, Senior Judge, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia, is the mother of two, and is a member of the Bethel A.M.E. Church in Albany. A member of the Albany Chapter of The Links Inc. and Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., she has association in the Georgia Humanities Council and was the winner of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters’ “GABBY” for Best On-Air personality.

Her presentation to the over 300 persons attending Allen Chapel’s Women’s Day was poignant and powerful as she shared her life experiences on her journey to be a queen. In her words, “Women should uplift other women. It takes a queen to encourage and develop another queen. Women need to be Godly even as they live here on earth.” On a personal note, she used the relationship with her daughter as a teachable moment. Offering that she allowed and supported her daughter to take a different path in life than her own, specifically expanding beyond the United States to being a teacher in China.

Others on the program were Allen Chapel’s first lady Tara Harris serving as the worship leader; invocation by Minister Demetria Harvey; and an awesome poem by Shariah McKenzie-Soloman entitled, “Queen Status.”

The Women Day Committee consisted of Demetrius Bridges, Marilyn Williams, Rita Ingram, Fran Ingram, Louise Hoston, Sara Johnson, Janice Harris, and Queenester Covington. Chair Finch personally thanked all the women of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church for their assistance with this program and Pastor Jermaine Harris for allowing her the chance to lead.