Business owners, artists, doctors honored as ‘Women of Impact’ in central Georgia

Business owners, artists, TV personalities, doctors and more were among the first cohort of local women to be honored as “Central Georgia Women of Impact” over the weekend.

The seven winners were honored at the inaugural Central Georgia Women of Impact Awards Ceremony and bruncheon in Macon Saturday. The list included:

Angel Irving Cobb, first Black female television personality to co-host a show at 13WMAZ Wini McQueen, beloved textile artist Charity Harris, co-owner of OVERTYME Bar & Grill and Mothers Breakfast & BBQ Starr Purdue, co-owner of Hutchings Funeral Home Dr. Patrice Walker, Chief Medical Officer for Atrium Health Navicent Dr. Keisha Callins, OB/GYN with Community Health Care Systems serving Jones and Twiggs Co Meaghan Blight, President of Wesleyan College.

The event was hosted by the Douglass Theatre, Ruth Hartley Mosley Memorial Women’s Center, and the Tubman Museum to celebrate Women’s History Month.

The three institutions came together to spotlight and honor women who have made a significant contribution and impact on central Georgia communities through ambition, action, and attainment.

“The event allowed us to recognize and affirm women who are continuing the work of the women who blazed the thick paths before them. We can tell their stories and record them too as recipients of these honors,” said Sylvia W. McGee, the chair of the Board of Trustees for the Ruth Hartley Mosley Memorial Women’s Center. “Children can see and touch these role models and hopefully be inspired to continue the chain of service in the various paths they can take.”

McGee said Macon had just celebrated its bicentennial, and some stories have been amplified or just discovered, showing the impact of Black women in this community.

“We want our city and area to be proud of their past and know that many ‘ordinary’ people invested in the community - hopefully, the next 100 years will contain many more stories,” she said.

McGee said the awards ceremony was historic and significant because it was a collaborative effort of the three cultural institutions, something the Women’s Center was thrilled to participate in.

“This event acknowledges an international celebration of women’s history in a local context,” McGee said. “More importantly, it gives a public face that can be documented and shared for generations to come.

“That has not always been the case for the work, accomplishments or contributions of women or African-Americans,” she added.

McGee went on to explain the event allows future generations to see the impact Black women in the community are making.

“Fifty years from now, when future generations ask, ‘why or how’ we want them to point to this consortium of leaders as a means of inspiration and motivation around the importance of bonding together to honor the past, present, and future strides made by women,” she said.

Harold Young, executive director of the Tubman Museum, said recognizing these women in the community is critically important.

“Working together to honor and bring these women to the forefront further amplifies the voices of women who are driving culture and change across the community and inspiring others through their work is critically important,” he said.

Dr. Shelton Land, executive director of the Douglass Theatre, said three local institutions that represent Black culture coming together to celebrate women speaks to and spotlights how the organizations are working to be more collaborative and inclusive across the community.

“What better way to showcase this than celebrating women together, especially those local ‘sheroes,’who are thriving and whose consistent hard work continues to give voice to the significant roles and impact that women have in our communities,” he said.

The ceremony took place at the Douglass Theatre followed by a bruncheon at the Tubman Museum.

The event also included the Pioneers of Purpose: A Tribute to Black Women of Impact exhibit which was on display at the Douglass Theatre. The tribute honored Harriet Tubman, Ruth Hartley Mosley, and Fannie Appling Douglass, wife of Charles Douglass.

Proceeds from the inaugural ceremony went to support each partner’s educational programming efforts.