The Charmettes Honor 10 Women in Tallahassee
Honorees were honored at the Inaugural Dr. Eva C. Wanton recognition luncheon.
Photo by Kathryn N. Jones
By Kathryn N. Jones
Outlook Writer
The Leon County Chapter of the Charmettes honored 10 distinguished women on May 16 at the Inaugural Dr. Eva C. Wanton Recognition Luncheon.
“This luncheon was the vision of Dr. Wanton, before she passed she prayed for this very special event,” said Dr. Malinda Jackson James, program co-chair of the Leon County Chapter of The Charmettes, Incorporated.
Dr. Wanton was one of the charter members of The Leon County Chapter of The Charmettes and was represented at the luncheon by family members and friends.
Throughout her life Dr. Wanton accomplished many achievements such as becoming the first female president of the Student Government Association at Savannah State, then College, served on the Mothers’ Board at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and also founded and directed the Africare Ministries.
“We come on this beautiful day to honor 10 amazing women who have made a significant impact throughout the community,” said James.
The women honored at the Luncheon were Mrs. Lucille Alexander, Dr. Jacqueline Beck, Mrs. Kate Condra, Mrs. Mildred Davis, Dr. Rosalie Hill, Mrs. Eva Manning, Mrs. Eva Parker, Mrs. Florida Parker, Mrs. Bettye Stevens and Mrs. Jackie Thomas.
“Like our charter members today ten plus one honorees have shown each and every one of us how to uplift our family, our friends, our communities and ultimately our nation and world and for their leadership, guidance, prayers, love and support we say ‘thank you,’” said Ms. Eunice Rivers, President of The Leon County Chapter of The Charnettes, Incorporated.
The eldest granddaughter of Dr. Wanton, Taylore Maxey, used words such as trailblazer, educator, great orator and legend to describe her grandmother.
“Dr. Wanton was a wife, mother, sister, friend and an awesome road-trip buddy,” said Maxey, she took many children under her tutelage and left a huge footprint in each of our lives.”
One of the women honored at the event was Eva Manning, known as the namesake to Dr. Wanton. Manning is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, a member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church where she is featured on the wall of fame.
“You work with a commitment, you don’t work for pay. I never thought about pay,” said Manning, “Because God has given you the talent and if you don’t use that talent you will lose that talent, that’s my philosophy.”
Manning said to be one of the honorees is an indescribable feeling.
Another honoree was Lucille Alexander born and raised in Tallahassee is a retired Registered Nurse from the FAMU clinic; she also retired from the Florida State School of Nursing resource area.
“It’s an honor to be honored,” said Alexander, they made such a beautiful selection of the women they have today, I’m proud to be associated with them.”
“Charmette Wanton is smiling today and we know that she is smiling because she is so happy to see what is happening here, this is just absolutely beautiful,” said Jackson.
