Celebrating Women of Excellence All Weekend Long!

Disclaimer: I am posting for STRUT the Magazine every Saturday. With the thought of killing two birds with one stone, I will post it here too. My weekly postings is on celebrating. 

When one think of celebrations, what comes to mind? Birthdays.  Parties. Holidays. Graduations. Weddings.  According to dictionary.com, celebrations are festivities engaged to celebrate something (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/celebration?s=t). It is great to celebrate on a grand scale. Just last weekend, we STRUTTED in grand fashion for the first Annual STRUT Experience in Atlanta. Every detail for the weekend had been addressed by STRUT Founder Dr. Darcova Triplett. Here’s a recap!

Mini me and me

Friday – The weekend started with a photo shoot for the ladies in our STRUT t-shirts. It was a wonderful experience to see old friends and finally put a face with so many names we have seen in our Facebook discussions. We had a great time with our individual and group shots. All the ladies look fabulous!

STRUTTING/POSING 

Keisha - The Extremist

Mama King surrounded by her talented Daughters 

Deltas STRUTTING/POSING

Posing with my LS Pasta

STRUT POSE

We left the photo shoot to release our hidden artistic abilities. Canvas by U created an original piece just for us! Of course it was a stiletto. Every woman tweaked it to her own personality and style. Here are some of the masterpieces.

On Saturday, the focus shifted to our health STRUT and celebrating everyday women being extraordinary by STRUTTING in their purpose. First thing in the morning Keisha led the women in a STRUTercise (Zumba with the STRUT twist). We know we can’t be all we are destined to be if our health is not in order. Later, the ladies inspired our younger ladies by supporting the teen poets at a book signing at Tiffany’s Popcorn.

The major event was Saturday evening. We celebrated women STRUTTING confidently in their purpose. Ladies from all walks of life was honored for their accomplishments in education, counseling, wellness, fashion, entrepreneurship, and overcoming life changing challenges. Shondia McFadden-Sabari brought tears to many eyes as she told her story of being a breast cancer survivor. I can’t put into words how I felt listening to her. It was very moving. She, like many of the women, was a breath of fresh air. She loves life! It is evident in her walk…STRUT, her family, her faith!  

The next recipient, Mama King, followed. Before she sat down, there definitely was not a dry eye in the house. I knew this woman was special when I first met her years ago! She is a giver, a nurturer, a teacher, a mother, a lover, a mother, a grandmother, a friend, a confidante, a wise woman of God.

All the ladies who were honored deposited a nugget in all of us. They directly or indirectly lit a fire, planted a seed, watered a planted seed, or provided a confirmation.

Gamma Zeta

Markisha presenting 

Darcova and Keisha showing those pearly whites

Her STRUT brought many to tears. So inspirational

CoCo!!!!

Presenting

Mika J - looking fly as always

Mama King - She had the entire room in tears

BBW - Big Beautiful Women

Sunday the ladies started the day worshipping the Lord for all He has done seen and unseen. We finished the weekend with Tea Time. The ladies converged on the Hailey Estate for tea, light refreshments and conversation. Kim Brannan was the guest speaker. She shared her walk with overcoming cancer twice. Both times the doctors gave her a limited time to live. But our God had a different plan! Kim infuses humor as she shared her journey which included having a positive attitude/outlook no matter what. Her faith, support system, and positive attitude pulled her through. Afterwards, others shared their own stories. There was plenty of advice, networking and true respect for each other. I can’t wait until next year’s events.

In closing, I am enclosing what Darcova’s niece said to her after the weekend. It sums up what it means to celebrate each other and what impact it has on those around us.

Out of the mouths’ of babes: “My niece said Auntie 'Trice, I like your friends! They are so smart and educated and funny and pretty. And they own businesses and have professional careers. And Auntie I didn't see nobody acting jealous or no lil cliques either. Everybody just seemed happy... happy with themselves and happy for each other. #This is why our STRUT is so important. Our young girls are watching our every move... every step we take and every step we don't take. They hear every word we speak... and every word we refuse to let slip from our lips. Her Sashay develops into My STRUT. #So Detrimental... So Much @ Stake. #You gotta STRUT because (whatever you do) you're being imitated.”

One last thing, what are you celebrating? Who are you celebrating? Why are you celebrating?

Enjoy your Saturday! I am celebrating different people for different reasons. HAVE A SUPER SATURDAY!!!